“This Too Shall Pass”—Resilience Factors of Parental Divorce During COVID-19 Pandemic for Adolescents
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic had detrimental effects on the well-being of individuals across the world. For adolescent girls experiencing parental divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic, the effect was exacerbated, as they had to grapple with the adversities associated with both the pandemic and divorce. Nonetheless, many of them have fared well and shown resilience despite adversities. The resilience of adolescents in the face of parental divorce during COVID-19 has been largely understudied, especially in South Africa. The present study aimed to explore the factors that enable the resilience of adolescent girls from divorced households during the COVID-19 pandemic. In alignment with qualitative research, the study employed a phenomenological research design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit five female adolescents in Johannesburg, South Africa. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Braun and Clarke’s six steps of data analysis were used to analyse data thematically. The findings of the study grouped resilience into individual attributes (coping mechanisms, viewing divorce as a good resolution, perseverance, optimism and spirituality), relational factors (relationships with mothers, extended family, friends and partners) and contextual factors (access to mental health support and teacher support). These findings underscore that a combination of individual and social-ecological factors should anchor interventions aimed at promoting the resilience of adolescent girls whose parents divorced during pandemics.
Institutions: University of Johannesburg, Soweto CTC
Language: English
Topic: Resilience and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
Funder: University of Johannesburg
OpenAlex ID: W7221320397