생애사를 통해 본 이혼 한부모 여성가장의 삶과 적응

The purpose of this study is to understand the life histories of divorced single mothers and their adaption to the life as a single mother using the life history method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with eight divorced single mothers aged from 42～56 years old. Five life dimensions were derived as a result of our analysis: (a) biological dimension: depletion (effects of chronic fatigue and nervousness) (b) psychological dimension: emotional complexity (effects of ambivalence of divorce, child-caring and role-conflict) (c) psychosocial dimension: "super woman complex" (effects of demanding roles) (d) social dimension: a woman living without a husband (effects of the non-mainstream society), and (e) cultural dimension: insurmountable wall (effects of patriarchal family system)We also found that marriage, divorce, and beginning of new life were major turning points in the life histories of divorced single mothers. Finally, our participants utilized several strategies to adapt to their lives as a divorced single mother, including (a) overcoming physical difficulties due to strong mental health, (b) intentionally avoiding complicated thoughts, (c) reconstructing the meanings of their lives and (d) ignoring social-cultural prejudices against divorced single mothers. Through in-depth interviews with divorced single mothers, we found that our participants went through different life situations but shared experiences in ways to make efforts to survive. Social assistance for divorced single mothers is needed to recognize and respect their lives as they are.