Qamar, A. H., & Faizan, H. F. (2021). Reasons, Impact, and Post-divorce Adjustment: Lived Experience of Divorced Women in Pakistan. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 62(5), 349-373. doi:10.1080/10502556.2021.1871840

In Pakistani society, the family, as a socio-cultural unit, is the major institution for the upbringing and socialization of children. However, the growing divorce rate in Pakistani families has had a negative impact on women’s and children’s psychosocial well-being in recent decades. In Pakistan, divorce and how to deal with life after divorce are big issues for women.

In this study, the authors focus on divorced women’s subjective experiences in relation to the grounds for divorce, its influence on their lives, and subsequent adjustment. A semi-structured interview guide was used to interview six divorced mothers with children. to learn about their real-life experiences. The data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

The results of the study have revealed that in-law meddling, a lack of mutual understanding, financial exploitation, and a painful environment were among the emerging themes that caused divorces. Social stigmatization, psychological agony, economic instability, and remarriage concerns were all effects of divorce on women’s lives. The authors conclude that beliefs about divine accountability, matrilineal support, and the value of children can help people deal with later changes and adjustments. The findings of the study are useful for family counselors, educators, and public and private social welfare groups that work with families.