S. Slater Resources

Slater, S. & Slater, L. (1983). The effects of family disruption on adolescent males and females. Adolescence, 8.

OVERVIEW

The study attempts to determine the possible effects of separation and divorce on the formation of adolescent self-image. It also tests hypotheses of gender, racial, and socio-economic differences in one’s adjustment to family disruption.

DESIGN

Participants included 217 adolescents from three New Orleans public high schools; 94 males and 123 females. The median age was 16.6 years. Of the group, 54% were white, 41% were black, and 5% were "other." Family background included 59% from intact homes and 37% from separated/divorce homes; all others were excluded.

A 60- to 90-minute battery of tests was administered to groups of 20 to 50 participants. Tests included the Tennessee Self-Concept Test, (tests an individual’s self-perception); the Family Environment Scale, (rates an individual’s perception of the family milieu); selections from the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, (categorizes an individual’s anxiety level); the Norwicki-Strickland Locus of Control, (measures the degree to which a person feels that luck or fate determines life experience); and the Life Event Scale (devised for this study to determine positive/negative effects of the participants’ life experiences).

CONCLUSIONS

Male and female adolescents appear to be affected differently by separation and divorce. Males grow in self-concept and perception of family situation (perceiving less family conflict). Females are adversely affected in their self-image and perception of family milieu (perceiving more conflict). Males thus appear to handle divorce better and even profit from it; the opposite seems to be true for females. Race and socio-economic status make little difference in responses to family disruption.

IMPLICATIONS

• Youth workers need to determine ways to help female adolescents adjust to family disruptions. They should be sensitive to children who have encountered family conflict, especially young women. Male leaders need to be aware of ways in which they can fulfill father-figure roles.
• Youth leaders should support single parents, especially in the areas of discipline and communication. It is important to remember that teenage boys can also be devastated by the loss of a father or mother.