There has been much research on the influence of parental divorce on children, but less is known about whether and how a later-life parental divorce influences the lives of adult children. Through qualitative interviews with 40 adult children of divorce-those whose parents divorced after they were 18 years of ageparent-adult child relationships were explored to determine if a mid-to late-life parental divorce affects the parent-child relationship. About half of the adult children reported a change to a negative relationship with one or both parents during the initial stages of the divorce. In addition, many discussed how their relationships with their parents evolved over time. KEYWORDS adult children of divorce, intergenerational relationships, mid-to late-life parental divorce, parent-child relationshipsSince the early 1990s, there has been an increase in research on the phenomenon of mid-to late-life parental divorce, occurring when children are 18 years or older. Researchers have shown that although there are some consequences experienced by all children of divorce, the experience is different depending on the age of the children at the time of the divorce. Previous research has tended to minimize the negative effects of such a marital dissolution on adult children of divorce (ACD), assuming that consequences are minimal because these children are in the process of leaving I thank Glenna Spitze for her comments and suggestions on drafts of this article and her overall assistance with the preparation of this article.

There has been much research on the influence of parental divorce on children, but less is known about whether and how a later-life parental divorce influences the lives of adult children. Through qualitative interviews with 40 adult children of divorce-those whose parents divorced after they were 18 years of age-adult sibling relationships were explored to determine if a mid-to late-life parental divorce affects the adult sibling relationship. The majority of participants reported that their sibling relationships were not negatively affected by the parental divorce; however, a minority of participants noted that their adult sibling relationships were negatively affected, especially if they "took sides" during the parental divorce. KEYWORDS adult children of divorce, adult sibling relationships, evolution of adult sibling relationships, mid-to late-life parental divorceSince the early 1990s, there has been an increase in research on the phenomenon of mid-to late-life parental divorce, occurring when children are 18 years or older. Researchers have shown that although there are some consequences experienced by all children of divorce, the experience is different depending on the age of the children at the time of the divorce. Previous research has tended to minimize the negative effects of such a marital dissolution on adult children of divorce (ACD), assuming that consequences are minimal because they are in the process of leaving the parental home, completing their education, entering the workforce, and beginning their own

No abstract

This article presents information about the planning, implementation, and findings of an assessment-based student portfolio designed by the faculty of a sociology program at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, a midsized public regional liberal arts institution. First, we briefly present the rationale for implementing a portfolio system and the thought process by which our particular portfolio assessment tool was created. Then, we explain our findings using the portfolio assessment system and how these findings were used to modify and strengthen the program as well as serve as a basis for long-term planning for the program.