Rethinking relationships between divorced mothers and their children: Capitalizing on family strengths

Based on interview data front 58 young adult children who experienced paren tal divorce, this study examines qualitative aspects of mother-child relati onships and strengths in these relationships. Boundary issues and roles shi fts between children and their divorced mothers are particularly emphasized . A content analysis revealed that often times, mothers were viewed as frie nds, especially by daughters, and their withdrawal from caregiving was gene rally welcomed. Implications of mothers' reliance on their children for emo tional support are explored from the child's perspective. While such behavi or has largely been pathologized in the clinical literature, this data sugg ests that mothers' leaning on children for emotional support and advice con tributed to a sense of equality closeness, and friend status. These qualiti es appeared to be valued by the participants in this study. Implications fo r family practitioners and scholars, as they relate to notions of boundary violation and adolescent development, are discussed from a family strengths perspective.