The Crisis of Divorce

Abstract

Divorce and separation are considered highly stressful life events, as indicated by the high weighting for these items on the Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (1967). Previous to the 1970's, most of the research examining the emotional impact of divorce focused on the relationship between divorce and psychopathology. This paper critically examines the "pathogenic" perspective on divorce, pointing out its methodological and conceptual shortcomings. A conceptual model of the divorce experience based upon crisis theory is presented as a useful alternative. This model allows for both negative and positive psychological outcomes to a divorce experience. It provides a framework for understanding short term and long term reactions to divorce, and the many variables that influence these reactions.