Post-divorce adjustment of women: Effectiveness of a psycho-education program based on Cognitive Behavioral Theory

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the psycho-education program developed based on the Cognitive Behavioral Theory on the emotional/social adjustment levels of divorced women. Embedded mixed methods research design was used in the study. In this context, a real experimental model with a control group, in which pretest-posttest-follow-up measurements were made, was used in the quantitative experimental phase of the research. In addition, before the experiment, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 women in order to determine the needs and views of divorced women regarding post-divorce adjustment and to create the infrastructure of the program, and the qualitative data of the research were collected. The experimental process of the research started with 15 women in both groups, but as a result of the experimental losses during the experiment, the group process was completed with 12 women in the experimental group and 11 women in the control group. The data of the study was collected through Fisher Divorce/Separation Adjustment Scale-Short Form and Personal Information Questionnaire. As a result of the research, it was found that the psycho-education program developed based on the Cognitive Behavioral Theory was effective in increasing the post-divorce adjustment of divorced women. At the same time, the psycho-education program was effective in reducing women's grief reactions, emotional separation from the relationship, anger reactions and increasing their self-worth. No significant differences were observed in the control group. In the follow-up measurements performed five weeks later, it was observed that the effectiveness of the psycho-education program continued.