An Analysis of Schema Theory and Learning Theory as Explanations for Variance in Adolescent Adjustment to Divorce

Abstract

STATEMENT I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the work contained in this thesis consists of my own original work, and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it at any university for a degree. Signature DateStellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za SUMMARYThe primary aim of this study was to identify factors contributing to the adjustment of adolescents whose parents are divorced. Learning theory and schema theory were evaluated as possible explanations for the variance found in the adjustment of these adolescents. The secondary aim of the study was to research the possibility of attitude to divorce acting as a mediator between the parent-adolescent relationship and adolescent adjustment (a possibility suggested by schema theory). Self-report questionnaires were completed by first year Psychology and Economics students at Stellenbosch University.293 students completed the questionnaires, but as only 39 of these students came from divorced families, 38 of the data sets from students with married parents were randomly Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za