Neda Mazloompour, Mohammad Masoud Dayarian, Nayere Arianfar,
Volume 24, Issue 94 (8-2025)
Abstract
Purpose: Parental divorce, as a complex family event, profoundly impacts the attachment development of adolescent girls, necessitating the exploration of their lived experiences to inform targeted support interventions. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of adolescent girls regarding attachment transformation in the context of parental divorce. Method: The research adopted a qualitative approach using descriptive phenomenology. Purposeful sampling was employed to select [] adolescent girls aged 13 to 18 who had experienced parental divorce within the past 5 years in [] Isfahan. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews (averaging 50 minutes) and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. The validity of the analysis was ensured through member checking and peer debriefing. Findings: Data analysis identified three overarching themes: 1) Pre-divorce phase: Disruption of secure attachment foundations marked by emotional instability and family turmoil; 2) During divorce: Emergence of pendular attachment characterized by emotional oscillation and loyalty conflicts; 3) Post-divorce phase: Pursuit of new attachment sources involving disconnection from primary sources and reliance on compensatory attachments. These themes highlight the profound impact of divorce on adolescents’ attachment relationships and emotional identity. Conclusion: The findings indicate that parental divorce triggers a multifaceted, dynamic process of attachment transformation in adolescent girls, accompanied by emotional, identity, and social challenges. This study underscores the need for targeted psychological interventions to foster emotional security and social support for this group, providing a qualitative framework for deeper understanding of these experiences and the development of culturally relevant counseling and family support programs
