Emotional experiences of adolescents from single-parent families

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the emotional experiences of adolescents from single-parent families; the primary aim being to determine whether adolescents display emotional experiences that differ from those of adolescents from both-parent families (intact families). Literature reveals that single parenting is strongly associated with an increased risk of negative social, behavioural and emotional outcomes ( Callister, Burks, & Suart 2006; Ge, Conger, & Eelder, 2005). A quasi-experimental design was adopted for this study. A sample of one hundred learners in grade 12 at one of the Bizana senior secondary schools was selected for this study. Their ages ranged from 16yrs to 18yrs. Sample selection was purposive. Of the 100 learners that were selected, half of them were from-single-parent families and the other half was from both-parent families. Each of these learners was asked to complete a questionnaire that would objectively assess them on six dimensions of psychological well-being. Ryff’s 18 item psychological well-being questionnaire was used. The six dimensions of psychological well-being, namely autonomy (a), personal growth (pg), environmental mastery (em), purpose in life (pl), positive relations with others (pr) and self-acceptance (sa).