Life Experiences of Single-Parent Children

The aim of this study is to reveal single-parented children’s feelings, ideas, and experiences through their narratives. A phenomenological perspective was chosen for this study. 21 children raised by a single parent (q1 as the result of divorce, and 10 as the result of death) were chosen using the criterion sampling-method. In this study, data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and content analysis. Semi-structured interviews were held with the participants within the scope of the research. As a result, it was seen that those whose life experiences were favorable were the ones who had the best relations with both parents or the parent with whom they lived; who experienced no significant change in their standard of living after divorce, and whose parents responded appropriately to their needs. When these factors were not present, negative life experiences were reported. Furthermore, those children with positive life experiences whose parent was widowed were those who had been able to grieve in a healthy way, and whose needs were responded to successfully by their remaining parent; those who had insufficient family and social support reported negative experiences