AbstractsPsychology

The goals of this study were formulated in response to the need for a skills oriented programme to assist individuals to cope with divorce. The aim of this study was to develop a coping with divorce programme, to implement the programme on a trial basis, and to evaluate the programme. The study was undertaken with in the framework of the developmental research and utilization model. The research design integrated exploratory, descriptive and evaluative methods. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were applied. The phenomena of divorce with specific reference to the effects of divorce and aspects central to the phenomena of coping with divorce were identified and discussed. Based on this analysis of divorce, a "Coping with divorce" programme was designed and developed. The Coping with divorce (CWO) programme was implemented and evaluated on a trial basis. The most important findings that were established in this study was that certain aspects of respondents social functioning indicated a statistical significant difference in the pre- and post-test. Furthermore respondents self-esteem, and perception of knowledge and skills regarding coping with divorce indicated a statistical significant difference in the pre- and post-test. The findings of this trial Investigation cannot be generalised and It is recommended that the programme be subjected to more extensive evaluation.