Lingering Effects of Parental Divorce

Overview

This research project investigated how parental divorce experienced during childhood continues to shape the emotional, psychological, and relational lives of young adults. The study was conducted as part of my undergraduate thesis at UC Santa Cruz and received recognition from faculty for its depth of inquiry.

Research Questions

• How do young adults describe the long-term emotional impact of their parents’ divorce?
• In what ways does childhood parental divorce influence adult relationship patterns and attachment styles?
• What coping mechanisms and protective factors emerge from participant accounts?

Methodology

A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative survey data with qualitative in-depth interviews:

• Survey — Designed and administered via Qualtrics to UCSC students (n = 60+), measuring attachment style, relationship satisfaction, and self-reported emotional outcomes
• Interviews — Conducted 20+ one-on-one semi-structured interviews, each 45–60 minutes, exploring lived experiences and meaning-making
• Analysis — Thematic analysis of interview transcripts; descriptive and inferential statistics via SPSS for survey data

Key Findings

• Participants consistently identified adolescence (ages 12–17) as the period of greatest lasting impact, regardless of when the divorce occurred
• Strong social support networks — particularly close friendships — emerged as the most consistent protective factor
• Many participants reported heightened anxiety around commitment and conflict in their own adult relationships

Deliverables

• Comprehensive thesis report with literature review, methodology, findings, and actionable insights
• Presentation of findings to faculty panel and peer researchers
• Visual data summary translating quantitative results into accessible charts and narrative