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Research - Depressed divorced fathers
FLINT is carrying out a study of the effects
of divorce and contact issues on UK fathers. This research
we hope to publish later this year. Below is an account of
a study relating child absence with depression and physiological
features in the men concerned:
Involuntary child absence syndrome
and depression in males after relationship breakdown.
The present study was designed to investigate
psychological well being in males. Specifically, depression,
certain psychological strengths, and involuntary child absence
syndrome were investigated. It was hypothesised that married
males would have less depressive symptomatology than their
separated or repartnered cohorts and non-custodial fathers
would experience involuntary child absence syndrome. Fifty
six men completed a questionnaire eliciting depression, ego
strength, generalised perceived self-efficacy, and locus of
control of behaviour. In addition, 38 non-custodial fathers
in the sample competed a second questionnaire specifically
designed for this study to measure involuntary child absence
syndrome, and secondary stressors which were believed to contribute
to adjustment after relationship breakdown. The scale developed
to measure involuntary child absence syndrome demonstrated
high internal reliability (.93). The analysis suggests that
(1) married and repartnered males have less depression than
their separated cohorts. (2) Generalised perceived self-efficacy
and ego strength are reliable predictors of depression. (3)
That involuntary child absence syndrome is related to depression
and both persist over a considerable length of time after
separation. (4) Physiological symptoms of ill health are related
to depression in separated but not repartnered males. (5)
Perceived control exerted by the ex-spouse and dissatisfaction
with legal representation are related to depression. (6) The
most salient distressing experience for men after relationship
breakdown is the loss of their children.
Sylvia Smith is a postgraduate research
student at Central Queensland University.
Wei Wang is a Lecturer in Psychology at Central Queensland
University. |
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