Impact of Parental Divorce on the Marital Satisfaction of Adult Children”(South Punjab)

Abstract

This study explores how parental divorce influences the marital satisfaction of adult children in the Pakistani context. Utilizing a quantitative research design, 40 married adults aged between 25 and 40 were selected through purposive sampling and divided into two equal groups based on their parental marital status—divorced or intact. The ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale was employed to assess their levels of satisfaction in their own marriages. Findings revealed that individuals whose parents were divorced reported notably lower levels of marital satisfaction compared to those from intact families. An independent samples t-test confirmed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. These results suggest that parental divorce can have a lasting impact on the relational well-being of adult children. The study highlights the significance of family dynamics in shaping future intimate relationships and points toward the importance of psychological support for individuals from divorced family backgrounds.