["I tried to be as defiant as possible". Case histories with autobiographical diaries: relationship with the custodial parent during childhood as recalled by young adults].
The predominant structural orientation of divorce research which either ignores or under represents to a great extent the child's perspective and his/her agency is criticized. As a consequence of these methodological shortcomings not only the production of scientific knowledge but also professional practice working with children from divorced families might be negatively affected--especially the regulation of custody and visiting issues. Therefore, the aim of this article is to give children a voice in describing their own experiences of visits and relationships with the non-residential father or mother during childhood and adolescence (sometimes until adulthood). By presenting numerous detailed autobiographical narratives from children of divorced parents, the study revealed a great diversity of visiting patterns as well as different relationship qualities ranging from loving to negative. In addition, visiting patterns and relationship qualities were not always static but were dynamic and changed over time, whereby the child's personality and agency contributed to this diversity and these processes. Finally, methodological recommendations are offered and it is suggested that the child's perspective and agency should be included in research about children of divorce.
Kaltenborn
Karl-Franz
KF
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Medizinisches Zentrum für Methodenwissenschaften und Gesundheitsforschung, Institut für Med. Informatik, Bunsenstrasse 3, 35033 Marburg. kaltenbo@mailer.uni-marburg.de
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001325:Autobiographies as Topic; D002648:Child; D002655:Child Custody; D002667:Child Reactive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012189:Retrospective Studies
"Ich versuchte, so ungezogen wie möglich zu sein". Fallgeschichten mit autobiographischen Niederschriften: die Beziehung zum umgangsberechtigten Elternteil während der Kindheit in der Rückerinnerung von jungen Erwachsenen.