• Human Ecology Research
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.603-612
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• 2013

With the increase of single-parent families in the Korean society, the perception of the function and structure of the family is changing. Thus, a public transition toward embracing single-parent families as another form of family is necessary. This study focuses on the families of divorced female single-parents using Walsh's family resilience framework with a strengths-based perspective. It aims to provide the basic data necessary for deducing policy-related and practical ways of supporting the families and for developing programs that help divorced female single-parent families maintain and reinforce resilience. Qualitative analysis was used as the research method. A preceding literature review was also carried out to collect data. The major findings of this study include the following: First, it was found that the average age of divorce is around 30-40, with children of school age. The mothers' level of education was relatively high, ranging from high school graduates to graduate school students. On Rothwell and Cohen's happiness scale, their objective level of happiness was higher (74.1) than that of the average Korean (64). Second, it was found they were very careful to avoid violence in everyday life as an after-effect of domestic violence, which was the major cause of their divorce. Third, their positive and optimistic attitudes about life even in adversity can be interpreted as Walsh's belief systems taking a more important role among other characteristics of family resilience.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.89-105
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• 2009

A family resilience approach aims to identify and fortify key interactional processes that enable families to withstand and rebound from disruptive life challenges. Walsh(1998) described family belief systems, organizational patterns, and communication processes as the three main keys of family resilience. The purpose of this study was to identify the three key factors of family resilience in case of divorced female single-parent families in Korea. The study participants were seven divorced mothers who were living in the institutional facility for female single-parent families. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim for analysis. The study findings were as follows. First, the participants showed positive thinking rather than fear about the adversity induced by the divorce. They also showed the senses of competence, control, and self-esteem. However, the senses of transcendence and spirituality were barely evident. Second, emotional and economic supports from parents, brothers and sisters, and community networks (i.e., mother-child protection institution, healthy family support center) enhanced the family resilience of the participants. Third, the participants showed clear communication, open emotional expression, and shared decision making. This study suggests that more counseling services and parent education be provided by healthy family support center and institutional facilities as important family resilience factors for divorced female single-parent families who are below the poverty line.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.95-111
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• 2010

The purposes of this study were to show general trends in the aspects of psychological family environment (parental communication), peer factor, academic performance factor, depression perceived by adolescents and to examine possible changes in such trends in accordance with demographic variables and the family structure environment (parental marital status, family economic status, and parents' education level), and then to determine the effect of these variables on adolescents' depression. The subjects were 1009 middle and high school students in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. The main results were as follows: 1) Paternal communication was significantly lower in technical high school students, divorced/ separated parents, and families of lower economic status. Maternal communication was significantly lower in male students, divorced/sepa-rated parents, and families of lower economic status. Academic performance problems was significantly higher in males, technical high school students, divorced/ separated parents, families of lower economic status, and a less educated father. Peer relations was significantly lower in students of divorced / separated parents, and of families of lower economic status. Depression was significantly higher in technical high school students, divorced / separated parents, and families of lower economic status. 2) In the case of male students, paternal communication had both a direct and an indirect negative effect through peer relations on depression, while academic performance problems had both a direct and an indirect positive effect through peer relations on depression. Both peer relations and maternal communication had a positive and a negative direct effect on depression. School grade had both a direct and an indirect negative effect through paternal communication on depression. Parental marital status(divorced or separated) had both a direct and an indirect positive effect through academic performance problems on depression. Family economic status had only an indirect effect on discussed.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.191-203
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• 2004

This study was to investigate differences in depression, parenting, and peer relationship perceived by adolescents from divorced and non-divorced families. Also, aim that identifies variables which have influences on adolescents' depression. The subjects were 356 middle and high school students who live in Seoul and Incheon. All respondents answered by self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed by t-test and hierarchical regression. The major findings were as follows. First, adolescents from divorced families perceived more depression than those from non-divorced families. Second, adolescents from divorced families perceived parenting attitude less warm than those from non-divorced families. Third, adolescents from divorced families perceived themselves more isolated and less understood in their peer relationships than those from non-divorced families did. Finally, adolescents from divorced families who feel less isolated and perceive parenting attitude more warm and less maturity-demanding perceived less depression.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.635-645
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• 2023

This study examined the trends of domestic academic research on children of divorced families by classifying them by period, method, target, and subject. From 2000 to 2022, 105 papers published in 58 journals were surveyed. In terms of research methods, quantitative research was conducted using questionnaires and panel data. The subjects of the reviewed studies were mainly elementary school children, and there were many studies on both divorced single mother and child families as well as divorced single father and child families. By analyzing the core subjects of the study, papers related to children's personal adaptation accounted for the largest proportion, followed by problematic behaviors, psychological difficulties, such as depression and stress, and relationships. In conclusion, due to the high divorce rate in Korea there is a need to focus academic attention on the children of divorced families. To this end, it is necessary to study the adaptation and protection factors of the children of divorced families. More qualitative research should be conducted on children of divorced families of various ages, not just elementary school students.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.119-128
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• 2010

The purpose of this study investigated the effects of personal variables(gender, grade, self-esteem, and depression) and family variables(economical level, marital conflict, and parenting behaviors) on the children's school adjustment(school interest, academic achievement, observance of school regulation, and friend relationship) of children in divorced families. The participants were 165 children in divorced families(73 boys and 92 girls). The results were as follows. First, children's school interest was affected by depression, self-esteem and grade. Second, children's academic achievement was affected by depression and grade. Third, children's observance of school regulation was affected by gender, grade, self-esteem, and parenting behaviors. Fourth, children's friend relationship was affected by depression, parenting behaviors, self-esteem, and gender. Fifth, children's school adjustment was more influenced on children's personal variables than children's family variables.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.43 no.3 s.205
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• pp.199-219
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine how life-changes after divorce, individual resources, and interpersonal resources affect post-divorce adjustment. Especially it focuses on gender differences. Data were collected from 114 divorced men and 112 divorced women in their 20s and 30s with the inclusion criteria of 1) having hen divorced for at least 6 months but less than 5 years, and 2) not having remarried after divorce. AH divorced men and women were interviewed with self-report questionnaires. The analysis included frequencies, means, t-test, crosstabs, and hierarchical multiple regression models. The major findings were as follows. 1) Divorced women were better adjusted than divorced men. 2) Fnancial satisfaction and health problems were important factors for both divorced men and women. 3) There were gender differences in the variables that affected post-divorce adjustment. Social support and significant others' attitude toward divorce influenced post-divorce adjustment for divorced men. For divorced women, negative change in financial circumstances, their own attitude toward divorce and divorce initiation found significant. This study showed that there were gender differences in the factors affecting Post)divorce adjustment. The findings of this study suggest that a program for supporting divorced men and women should consider gender differences.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.323-336
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• 2009

There has been a significant increase in the number of divorced families during the past 10 years in Korea. Divorce imposes a great impact on their children as well as divorcees. As many as 1.41 million children under 20 years-old have experienced their parents' divorce in past 10 years. Children are faced with much difficulty in adjustment after the parental divorce. Issues of the research and policy on the divorced family are discussed in this study. For future studies, a longitudinal research model, father-custody and grandparent-custody families, custody parents's gender, a theoretical model for Korean divorced families should be considered. New legislations have been recently enacted to enhance children's well-being, but further efforts such as the involvement of child development specialists in the divorce process should be followed in the pursuit of the best interest of the children.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.43 no.3 s.205
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• pp.161-183
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• 2005

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive group therapy program for divorced parents and their children for increased self-esteem, problem-solving technique, communication ability and emotional support. This comprehensive program was based on Solution-Focused and Satir's Experiential Family Therapy Models, as well as on therapeutic activities from various sources. Six mothers and 18 children of divorced families participated in this program which consisted of six, two-hour sessions. This program was found to be effective in enhancing the participants' self-esteem and communicative ability in addition to emotional support between mothers and their children, and among participants. Therapeutic activities were implemented in harmony with the Solution and Experiential based values and techniques, which seemed to heighten the fun and motivation for the participants to change their view points and behaviors in a positive way.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.24 no.1 s.79
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• pp.181-192
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• 2006

This study investigated the effects of children's gender, parental divorce, and children's perception of parenting behaviors on children's behavior problems. The subjects were 80 children in divorced families(46boys and 34girls) and 74 children in non-divorced families (37boys and 37girls). They completed questionnaire assessing perception of parenting behaviors and their teacher rated K-CBCL(withdrawal, depression/anxiety, aggression). Results were as follows. First, children in non-divorced families perceived their parenting behavior more positively. Second, boys had more behavior problems such as depression/anxiety and aggression than girls. Third, children in divorced families had more behavior problems such as withdrawal, depression/anxiety, and aggression than children in non-divorced families. Fourth, children's withdrawal was affected by parental divorce and children's perception of parenting behaviors, and children's depression/ anxiety and aggression were affected by parental divorce and children's gender.