Author: Nida Zafar
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rukhsana Kausar
Degree: M.phil
Year: 2011-2013
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present research investigated psychosocial implications of early father separation for adolescents and their mothers. It was hypothesized that (a) there are likely to be an effect of father separation and gender in emotional, social and behavioral problem of adolescents;(b) there are likely to be differences in emotional, social and behavioral problems in divorced and married mothers and (c) mother’s psychosocial problems, parenting styles of mother, socioeconomic status and social support are likely to predict psychosocial problems in adolescents. Cohort sequential and between group research design was used. The sample comprised of 80 adolescents and 80 mothers with equal number of divorced families and intact families. Following measures Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Attachment style Questionnaire (ASQ), Self-Image Profile (SIP), Social Competence Questionnaire (SCQ), Brief fear of Negative Evaluation (BFNE), Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), Brief Self Control Scale (BSCS) and Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), UCLA loneliness Scale, Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), State- Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used for assessment. Findings showed that adolescents with early father separation experience more depression, anxiety and stress, fear of negative evaluation and aggression and less score in social competence as compared to adolescents living with intact families. Divorced mothers experienced more depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, social interaction anxiety and high level of state anger, anger out and total anger as compare to married mother. It was also revealed that mother’s depression, anxiety, stress, feelings of loneliness, state anger; social interaction anxiety, social support and authoritative parenting style predict psychosocial problems in adolescents. Further suggestions along with implications are being discussed.
Keywords: Psychosocial Problems, Early Father Separation, Adolescents, Divorced Mothers.
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
