Resilience in remarried families

Date
2005-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Using a cross-sectional survey research design the present study aims to explore those resilience factors which enable remarried families to withstand and rebound from the disruptive challenges they face. Furthermore, recovery factors were examined which enabled remarried families to cope more effectively and to emerge har-dier___fr_om a crisis. Remarried families who were married between one to four years, with at least one family member presently in school, were approached to take part in this study. A parent and a child from 38 families independently completed six questionnaires and an open-ended question. It is proposed that the most important resilience factors identified in this study, through qualitative and quantitative measures, include (1) family relationships and support (mutual respect, cooperation and a loving bond), (2) family communication that is affirming, conveying care and support, as well as less incendiary communication that tends to exacerbate a stressful situation, (3) the ability to have a sense of control over outcomes in life by having a active orientation in adjusting to and managing stressful situations, (4) activities and routines that helps the family in spending time together and creating togetherness, (5) a strong marriage relationship (consisting of clearly defined roles, equality and support for each other), (6) support from family and friends, (7) internal and external handling of problems by redefining stressful events and acquiring and accepting social support, (8) spirituality and religion within the family that provides meaning and purpose beyond a crisis situation.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Dwarssnit navorsingsontwerp is gebruik om veerkragtigheidsfaktore te identifiseer wat hersaamgestelde gesinne in staat stelom weerstand te bied in ontwrigtende uitdagings wat hulle in die gesig staar. Verder is herstellingsfaktore ondersoek wat hersaamgestelde gesinne in staat stelom 'n krisis effektief te hanteer. Hersaamgestelde gesinne wat tussen een tot vier jaar getroud is, met ten minste een gesinslid op skool, is genader om aan die studie deel te neem. 'n Ouer en 'n kind van 38 gesinne het onafhanklik ses vraelyste en 'n oop-end vraag beantwoord. Die volgende veerkragtigheidsfaktore is met behulp van kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metings geïdentifiseer: (1) gesinsverhoudings en ondersteuning (wedersydse respek, samewerking en 'n liefdevolle band), (2) oop gesinskommunikasie wat bevestigend is en wat sorg en ondersteuning oordra, sowel as minder opruiende kommunikasie wat geneig is om stresvolle situasies te vererger, (3) die vermoë om 'n sin van kontrole oor uitkomste in die lewe te hê deur 'n aktiewe orientasie in aanpassing tot en die beheer van stresvolle situasies, (4) aktiwiteite en roetine wat gesinne help om tyd saam te spandeer en die skep van samesyn, (5) 'n sterk huweliksverhouding (bestaande uit duidelike gedefinieerde rolle, gelykheid en ondersteuning van mekaar), (6) ondersteuning van familie en vriende, (7) interne en eksterne hantering van probleme deur die herdefiniëring van stresvolle gebeure, sowel as die verkryging en aanvaarding van sosiale ondersteuning, (8) spiritualiteit en godsdiens in die gesin wat doel en betekenis verskaf wat verder gaan as die krisissituasie.
Description
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
Keywords
Adjustment (Psychology), Remarried people -- Family relationships, Dissertations -- Psychology, Theses -- Psychology
Citation