Understanding the relational experiences of emerging adults from divorced families

Despite limited research, numerous studies have explored the impact of parental divorce on children in shaping their outlook on romantic relationships and marriage. This study investigated the experiences of emerging adults with divorced parents and their perspectives on romantic relationships, marriage, and divorce. The study employed a qualitative research design wherein 15 residents of Saudi Arabia whose parents got divorced between the ages of 18 and 29 were interviewed. Following Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, 15 main themes emerged discussing the cultural context of divorce, parents' motivations for divorce, participants' revelation of parental divorce, emotional responses to divorce-related decisions, and the complex interplay of thoughts and behaviors surrounding divorce. The findings revealed that parental divorce has significant implications for emerging adults in influencing their perspectives, thoughts, and behaviors in romantic relationships, marriage, and divorce. Moreover, the results also addressed the impact of cultural factors and religion on perspectives of emerging adults during this transitional period. The results of the study were discussed in the light of the existing literature and recommendations for further studies were suggested.