Abstract
M.A. (Psychology)
Divorce rates have escalated dramatically since the early sixties and
indications are that it will continue to do so. Although divorce has
become a common experience, it remains one of the most stressful life
events and a potential source of significant adjustment problems. A
review of literature indicates that a relationship between divorce and
psychopathology is widely accepted.
The most critical question about divorce has not been answered fully,
namely: what are the factors that facilitate a good outcome? More often
researchers focused on the factors contributing to continued problems and
pathology.
The purpose of this study is to determine what relationships exist
between degree of mental health in divorced people and two factors
suggested by literature. These two factors are assertiveness and
internal locus of control.
Ideally, a holistic view of a person in his/her unique life situation
should be taken. In order to limit the scope of this study only the two
personal factors were studied, keeping in mind that there is an ecological
interaction between many known and unknown factors and granting that
it is artificial to isolate only two factors from the encompassing whole.
It was postulated that a more internal locus of control orientation would
facilitate an individuals adaptation after divorce. Furthermore, it was
postulated that assertiveness would greatly enhance the individuals ability
to adapt and adjust to the divorce. A person with these qualities
would be able to realistically assess the demands of the divorce situation
and address the demands in a confident and proactive way.
The integrated model of mental health states that a mentally healthy
individual would have the following attributes: a positive identity,
flexibility, emotional sensitivity, the ability to form intimate interpersonal
relationships and altruism. These attributes were used in this
study as an indication of the degree of mental health in divorced people...