Adult children of divorce and intimate relationship ideals: Implications for counseling

Adult children of divorce (ACD) are quickly becoming a distinct population with in today's society. While researchers have attempted to describe this population in terms of their unique difficulties with intimate relationships, few studies have explored specific relationship ideals. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the important relationship ideals of adult children of divorce when compared with adults from intact families. In particular, this study was designed to illuminate specific relationship ideals that are most important to ACD and to discuss the implications of such information as it relates to the field of counseling.;Three hundred fifteen graduate students at the University of New Orleans (UNO) participated in this study. All participants completed a relationship ideals survey consisting of thirty relationship ideals and a demographic form. Graduate students were asked to rate relationship ideals according to their importance within students' own intimate relationships. This investigation revealed that specific relationship ideals were significantly (p < .05) more important to ACD than to adults from intact families. These ideals included: (a) commitment, (b) affection, (c) stability, (d) support, (e) acceptance, (f) independence, (g) passion, and (h) confronting conflict. Upon administration of a stricter test for significance, ideals that remained significantly more important to ACD than adults from intact families included: (a) affection and (b) acceptance (p < .003); (c) independence, (d) passion, and (e) confronting conflict (p < .004). Findings revealed that both gender and current age were significantly related to ACD perceptions about specific relationship ideals. However, age at the time of parental divorce was not. Based on findings from this investigation, there are several implications for counselors and counselor educators. For example, counselors may use this research to develop specific interventions and treatment plans to address specific relationship issues as they arise for ACD. In addition, this study points to the need for more education about how parental divorce can affect clients, counselors, and supervisors.