Socialization and Divorce:The Study of Divorce from the Process Perspective

Introduction: The weak point of current studies on divorce is that this issue is not investigated from a process perspective. The aim of this study was to investigate divorce from such a perspective. Pathology of the process through which one exits from a type of socialization (socialization in the original family) and enters to another, is a key point that is often neglected in most explanations of divorce. Method: In this qualitative study, directed qualitative content analysis was used. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 30 divorced women in Harsin city of Kermanshah province (Iran), who were selected through purposeful sampling. The criterion for ending interviews was theoretical saturation. The ethical issues were considered and validity was determined. Results: Multiple and incomplete cognitions, emotional and unconsidered decisions, disinterestedness, and lack of attractiveness were identified as divorce factors in the initial analysis of couples. And in the common life, factors such as differences, stereotypes, interferences, and the like are involved. Conclusion: Several positive and negative outcomes of divorce have been reported, but its negative outcomes were more than positive ones. These outcomes can be examined in three categories: social, psychological, and physical. In any plan to reduce divorce rates, divorce should be considered as a process that has a beginning and an end. In this process, special attention should be paid to the type of socialization that couples bring from their original families.