The evolving experiences and impacts of divorce for women living in Palestine: a mixed-method narrative analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT The impacts of divorce for Palestinian women are changing over time in important ways. Some women seek divorce to escape domestic abuse and restricted autonomy, but in previous generations many experienced social exclusion instead of understanding and support. We aimed to understand how divorce changes the lives and psychological wellbeing of contemporary Palestinian women, how intersecting identities might influence change, and to recommend areas of Palestinian research development for traditionally marginalized groups. A single-case narrative was developed from a translated transcript, and common themes were compared with quantitative data from a sample of 93 divorced women assessed with a survey designed by local clinicians. In the single-case narrative, divorce represented freedom from a ‘prison-like’ marriage and a chance for personal development. Half of the broader sample shared experiences of abusive marriages and most anticipated more freedom following divorce. We conclude that divorce in the context of a conflicted or abusive marriage can improve the lives of Palestinian women and provide opportunities for wellbeing and personal growth. However, post-divorce experience varies depending on age, family support, living situation and educational level. Enriched understanding in this area will require the development of methodologies relevant to the sociocultural and political context.