Remarriage After Divorce: Insights from the Turkish Context

Abstract This qualitative study delved into the adjustment experiences of individuals who remarried following divorce. Within the collectivist cultural context of Türkiye, the research involved in-depth interviews were conducted with eight participants aged 30 to 50 years, all of whom had been remarried for less than five years. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, which identified five main themes: emotional and psychological readiness for remarriage, dynamics within the spousal relationship, interactions with ex-spouses and children, coping with social judgment and pressure, and support mechanisms. The findings indicated that past marital experiences significantly shaped expectations and attitudes toward new relationships. Stepparenting and sociocultural norms have emerged as key factors influencing marital adjustment. This study is anchored in Carter and McGoldrick’s Remarried Family Model and Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding how remarried individuals navigate their relationships within complex emotional, social, and cultural systems. These insights are valuable for family counseling practices and policy development, especially in societies in which remarriage remains culturally sensitive and understudied.