Interpersonal Communication between Divorced Parents and Children in Nigeria

Authors

https://doi.org/10.48314/nex.v2i1.26

Abstract

This study examined the interpersonal communication between divorced parents and children. A descriptive and qualitative method was used, and data were elicited through documentation, observations, and interviews with divorced families in Kano, Nigeria. Kano State was selected for this study because Aljazeera revealed it as the state with the most divorce records in Nigeria in 2019, with 683 cases. Data analysis was achieved based on in-depth interviews with the sources and transcription of the interview results. The study found no significant changes brought about by divorce, such that parents still fulfilled their roles of providing love, education, and security for their children. Furthermore, interpersonal relationships within the family were revealed, so there were regular opportunities to communicate freely. Finally, the study contributed to knowledge by showing that interpersonal communication is maintained between divorced parents and their children.

Keywords:

Children, Communication, Divorce, Interpersonal communication, Parents

References

  1. [1] Portes, P. R., Lehman, A. J., & Brown, J. H. (1999). The child adjustment inventory. Journal of divorce & remarriage, 30(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v30n01_03

  2. [2] Rodriguez, S. R. (2014). “We’ll only see parts of each other’s lives:” The role of mundane talk in maintaining nonresidential parent-child relationships. Journal of social and personal relationships, 31(8), 1134–1152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407514522898

  3. [3] Fakunle, S. O., & Opadere, A. A. (2023). Cultural determinants and parent-child communication as an effective tool to prevent child sexual abuse: A quick qualitative study. Journal of child sexual abuse, 32(4), 475–493. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2023.2190736

  4. [4] Amato, P. R. (2000). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of marriage and family, 62(4), 1269–1287. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.01269.x

  5. [5] McManus, T. G., & Donovan, S. (2012). Communication competence and feeling caught: Explaining perceived ambiguity in divorce-related communication. Communication quarterly, 60(2), 255–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463373.2012.669328

  6. [6] Petronio, S. (2013). Brief status report on communication privacy management theory. Journal of family communication, 13(1), 6–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2013.743426

  7. [7] Sbarra, D. A., & Emery, R. E. (2005). Coparenting conflict, nonacceptance, and depression among divorced adults: Results from a 12-year follow-up study of child custody mediation using multiple imputation. American journal of orthopsychiatry, 75(1), 63–75. https://doi.org/10.1037/0002-9432.75.1.63

  8. [8] Amato, P. R., & Keith, B. (1991). Parental divorce and the well-being of children: A meta-analysis. Psychological bulletin, 110(1), 26. https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/1991-32830-001

  9. [9] DeVito, J. A. (2013). The interpersonal communication book. Pearson. https://books.google.com/books?id=hutPXwAACAAJ

  10. [10] Afifi, T. D., Huber, F. N., & Ohs, J. (2006). Parents’ and adolescents’ communication with each other about divorce-related stressors and its impact on their ability to cope positively with the divorce. Journal of divorce & remarriage, 45(1), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v45n01_01

  11. [11] Sjarkawi, S. (2008). Pembentukan kepribadian anak: Peran moral, intelektual, emosional, dan sosial sebagai wujud integritas membangun jati diri. Bumi Aksara. https://books.google.com/books?id=LC0WMwEACAAJ

  12. [12] Schrodt, P., & Shimkowski, J. R. (2017). Family communication patterns and perceptions of coparental communication. Communication reports, 30(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/08934215.2015.1111400

  13. [13] Pratiwi, S. W., & Sukma, D. (2013). Komunikasi interpersonal antar siswa di sekolah dan implikasinya terhadap pelayanan bimbingan dan konseling. Journal ilmiah konseling, 2(1), 324–329. http://dx.doi.org/10.24036/02013211268-0-00

  14. [14] Farhan, A., Monang, S., & Batubara, A. (2022). Komunikasi interpersonal orang tua dengan anak broken home (Studi pada perumahan villa permata sunggal). MUKADIMAH: Jurnal pendidikan, sejarah, dan ilmu-ilmu sosial, 6, 226–233. https://doi.org/10.30743/mkd.v6i2.5266

  15. [15] Afifi, T. D., & Schrodt, P. (2003). Uncertainty and the avoidance of the state of one’s family in stepfamilies, postdivorce single-parent families, and first-marriage families. Human communication research, 29(4), 516–532. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2003.tb00854.x

  16. [16] Jacobsen, L. A., Mather, M., & Dupuis, G. (2012). Household change in the United States. Population bulletin, 67(1). http://www.prb.org/pdf12/ushousehold-change-2012.pdf

  17. [17] Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (2004). The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In Psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 7–24). Psychology Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.4324/9780203505984-16

  18. [18] Linker, J. S., Stolberg, A. L., & Green, R. G. (1999). Family communication as a mediator of child adjustment to divorce. Journal of divorce & remarriage, 30(1), 83–97. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v30n01_06

  19. [19] Rahman, F., Bahfiarti, T., & Kahar, K. (2024). Interpersonal communication between parents and children due to divorce in gorontalo city. Proceedings of the world conference on governance and social sciences (WCGSS 2023) (pp. 737–741). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-236-1_78

  20. [20] Olaniyi, A. A. (2015). Analytical study of the causal factors of divorce in African homes. Research on humanities and social sciences, 5(14), 18–29. https://b2n.ir/sm9688

  21. [21] Bonach, K., & Sales, E. (2002). Forgiveness as a mediator between post divorce cognitive processes and coparenting quality. Journal of divorce & remarriage, 38(1), 17–38. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v38n01_02

  22. [22] Bowen, M. (1966). The use of family theory in clinical practice. Comprehensive psychiatry, 7(5), 345–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-440X(66)80065-2

  23. [23] Ganong, L. H., Coleman, M., Feistman, R., Jamison, T., & Stafford Markham, M. (2012). Communication technology and postdivorce coparenting. Family relations, 61(3), 397–409. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2012.00706.x

  24. [24] Sharon, O. (2023). Marriage experts worry over rising divorce among young couples. https://punchng.com/marriage-experts-worry-over-rising-divorce-among-young-couples/

  25. [25] Gentry, D. B. (1997). Facilitating parent-child communication during divorce mediation. Families in society, 78(3), 316–321. https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.780

  26. [26] Aquilino, W. S. (2006). The noncustodial father-child relationship from adolescence into young adulthood. Journal of marriage and family, 68(4), 929–946. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00305.x

  27. [27] Divorce and child custody. https://www.apa.org/topics/divorce-child-custody

  28. [28] Adeniran, A. O., & Tayo-Ladega, O. (2024). Critical analysis of phenomenological research design in a qualitative research method. Management analytics and social insights, 1(2), 186–196. https://doi.org/10.22105/ad338t15

  29. [29] Adeniran, A. O., Asifat, J. T., Familusi, O. B., & Folorunso, S. S. (2024). Critical analysis of research methods and misperceptions of statistical analysis. International journal of innovation in management, economics and social sciences, 4(3), 29–50. https://doi.org/10.59615/ijimes.4.3.29

  30. [30] Publikasi - badan pusat statistik provinsi gorontalo. (2023). https://gorontalo.bps.go.id/publication

Published

2025-02-28

How to Cite

Interpersonal Communication between Divorced Parents and Children in Nigeria. (2025). Psychology Nexus, 2(1), 10-14. https://doi.org/10.48314/nex.v2i1.26