The Role of Social Support and Coping Strategies in Emotional Recovery after Divorce among Employed Divorced Men and Women in Colombo District
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Divorce is a significant life event that can adversely affect emotional wellbeing, social relationships, and everyday functioning. Although employment may provide financial security and a structured routine, divorced individuals may still experience psychological distress while managing both professional and personal responsibilities. This study examined the role of social support and coping strategies in emotional recovery after divorce among employed divorced men and women in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational research design was employed. Data were collected from 100 employed divorced individuals using a structured close-ended questionnaire designed on a five-point Likert scale. Respondents were selected through purposive non-probability sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and independent samples ttests with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings indicated a moderate level of emotional recovery among respondents. In bivariate analyses, social support was positively associated with emotional recovery (r = 0.504, p < 0.001), as was adaptive coping (r = 0.576, p < 0.001), whereas maladaptive coping was not significantly associated with emotional recovery (r = 0.076, p = 0.450). In the multiple regression model, adaptive coping emerged as a significant positive predictor of emotional recovery (β = 0.511, p = 0.002), while maladaptive coping was a significant negative predictor (β = -0.347, p < 0.001). Social support, although significant at the bivariate level, was not a statistically significant independent predictor after controlling for coping variables (β = 0.275, p = 0.116). Significant gender differences were observed in emotional recovery, social support, and coping scores. Owing to the cross-sectional design and the use of purposive, non-probability sampling (N = 100), these results should be interpreted as sample-specific associations rather than evidence of causal effects or population-level estimates. Accordingly, the study provides context-specific evidence on the relationships among social support, coping strategies, and emotional recovery among employed divorced individuals in Colombo District.
Author: Chandrapala D.L.G.S.K.
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7224121194