"Can't do without friends" : a study of the empowering experience of divorcees through friendship and self

![CDATA[Research on divorce, with the use of both statistics and empirical evidence, has largely focused on the negative consequences of 1985; Smyth and Weston 2000; Zagorsky 2005). Most of these research studies also highlight that the divorced women are especially financially disadvantaged as a result of their divorce (Amato 2000; Cherlin 1992; Kitson 1992; Lawson & Thompson 1996; Marks 1996; Smyth & Weston 2000; Zagorsky 2005). There are also research studies that highlight the negative impact of divorce on divorcees’ emotional, psychological and social well-being (Albrecht 1980; Cherlin 1992; Clarke-Stewart & Brentano 2006; Davies et al. 1997; Demo & Acock 1996; Kitson 1992; Marks 1996; Mastekaasa 1994; Weiss 1975). These research studies reveal that divorcees experience stress, emotional disturbance, separation distress, disorientation, alienation, and feelings of panic, fear, loneliness and helplessness. Such negative effects of divorce on divorcees’ emotional and psychological well-being occur prior to, during and after the divorce. The findings also demonstrate that the divorce experience affects divorcees’ self-confidence and self-perception. divorce, specifically in the areas of financial, psychological and physical well-being. In the area of financial disadvantages, divorcees suffer from a reduction of household incomes, increase of expenses associated with the divorce and single-income household, and loss of property due to the division of assets (Amato 2000; Clarke-Stewart & Brentano 2006; Levinger 1979; Marks 1996; McDonald 1985; Smyth and Weston 2000; Zagorsky 2005). Most of these research studies also highlight that the divorced women are especially financially disadvantaged as a result of their divorce (Amato 2000; Cherlin 1992; Kitson 1992; Lawson & Thompson 1996; Marks 1996; Smyth & Weston 2000; Zagorsky 2005). There are also research studies that highlight the negative impact of divorce on divorcees’ emotional, psychological and social well-being (Albrecht 1980; Cherlin 1992; Clarke-Stewart & Brentano 2006; Davies et al. 1997; Demo & Acock 1996; Kitson 1992; Marks 1996; Mastekaasa 1994; Weiss 1975). These research studies reveal that divorcees experience stress, emotional disturbance, separation distress, disorientation, alienation, and feelings of panic, fear, loneliness and helplessness. Such negative effects of divorce on divorcees’ emotional and psychological well-being occur prior to, during and after the divorce. The findings also demonstrate that the divorce experience affects divorcees’ self-confidence and self-perception.]]