Women Coping with Divorce in the Unique Sociocultural Context of Hong Kong

Abstract

ABSTRACT From a stress and coping perspective, this qualitative study examined the impact of Hong Kong's sociocultural context on divorce experience of 35 women. Under the bind of traditional Chinese values and Western ideals, divorce was experienced as a threat to normal life and an oppression leading to economic hardship and a loss of self-identity. However, these women were hardy and creative in coping, drawing assets from both Chinese and Western cultures as they justified the divorce, assumed the role of “tragic heroine,” endorsed notions of predestination and multiple lives, valued single parenthood, and reconstructed positive meanings of divorce. Implications for social work practice were discussed.