Influence of divorce factors on divorcing couples' reconciliation beliefs and attitudes toward attending reconciliation services

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the reconciliation beliefs and interest to attend a reconciliation service among couples who have filed for divorce. Two separate studies were conducted. Study 1 examines the association between divorce factors and reconciliation attitudes among 1,085 divorcing parents who have registered for a mandatory divorce education program. Study 2 is a longitudinal examination of 376 divorcing individuals. Participants completed surveys at the time of registration for a mandatory divorce education class, immediately following the class, and at follow-up between 6 - 12 months after the class. Key findings indicate that nearly two out of every three divorcing individuals within this sample reported reconciliation beliefs at some point during data collection. Likewise, approximately 80% of the sample at some point indicated an interest to attend a reconciliation based service.