Appraisal of Lone Parenthood After Marital Breakdown

Abstract

In order to understand better the experience of becoming a lone parent after marital breakdown a taxonomy of positive as well as negative appraisals and possible coping strategies was constructed. Experiential structures elicited through multidimensional scaling were used to form the basis of the Lone Parenthood Scales. The Scales, with demonstrated reliabilities and construct validity, were then administered to a sample of lone parents who were found to experience concern over their children's limited family life but relief at their separation and hope of becoming closer to their children. They saw themselves as coping with problems by direct, positive action. Further uses for the Scales were discussed.

Addressing Single Parents’ Needs in Professional Counseling: A Qualitative Examination of Single Parenthood

“…Consistent with past literature, participants reported both advantages (see Beattie & Viney, 1981; Richards & Schmiege, 1993) and challenges (see Bauman, 2000; Collings et al, 2014; McLanahan & Beck, 2010; Meier et al, 2016; Richards & Schmiege, 1993) to single parenthood. Challenges included the relationship with the noncustodial parent, a desire for co-parenting, finding balance among multiple roles, managing childcare and supporting child development, negative effects on self, and blending families.…”

“…Although participants identified concerns related to child development as a challenge, they also identified enhanced child development and stronger connection with the child as advantages. This aligns with Beattie and Viney (1981), who noted that some recently unattached single parents experience a hope for an improved relationship with their child. This is also similar to Ford-Gilboe (2000), who reported that “optimism pride may be a more critical strength for single parent families” (p. 54), the participants identified effective parenting skills (e.g., confidence), fortitude, and transpersonal qualities as essential qualities for being a single parent.…”

“…Voluntary single parenthood can engender a sense of empowerment for going against social norms and intentionally pursuing a nontraditional family (Miller, 1992). Further, Beattie and Viney (1981) found that single parenthood following the dissolution of marriage can be a relief for some parents and can lead to feelings of hope in regard to building a stronger connection with their child. These parents also reported the ability to manage problems through “positive action taking” (p. 420).…”

Carers' burden and adjustment to HIV

“…A ction and interpersonal coping strategies are m ore directed at problem solving or doing som ething to alter th e source of the stress. M ultidim ensional scaling with a norm ative sam ple was used to derive the six dim ensional structure (W estbrook, 1979), wh ich has been independently replicated by another sam ple (Beattie & Viney, 1981). Its dimensions are sim ilar to those of other self appraisal m easures of coping (e.g.…”

Profile of the Single Father: A Thematic Integration of the Literature

“…These same fathers, however, characterized their relationships with their children as affectionate and close. Beattie and Viney (1981) found in JANUARY 1983 their investigation of 101 single parents that, although these single parents were concerned about their limited family situation, they typically felt relief because of their separations and reported feeling much closer to their children. Other studies have reported similar characterizations.…”