The effects of divorce/separation on the self-development of women : a cross-cultural study

Abstract

This is a qualitative study which investigates the effects of divorce and separation on the self-development of women in Germany and Malta. The cross-cultural nature of this study reveals insights into the differences and commonalities between the two countries. Furthermore, the study is written from a feminist point of view and is based on the Jungian belief that people undergo lifelong development. It takes a phenomenological approach and follows the rules of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The findings suggest that women in both countries experience a range of challenges after divorce or separation, with the most influential one being financial difficulties. However, it seems evident that following divorce, both Maltese and German women eventually undergo positive self-development. In both countries, culture seems to have an impact in areas where traditional and Catholic believes are prevalent. Stigmatization was a theme in both countries.