Risk factors and policy recommendations for parental divorce amongst adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa

During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals and their families faced various risk factors, which in some cases resulted in divorce. Adolescents in such families had to grapple with COVID-19 across the world, the risk factors faced by adolescents have largely been under-risk factors associated with COVID-19 and divorce. Despite the rise of divorce during studied, especially among adolescents in South Africa. This study aimed to explore the risk factors experienced by adolescents from divorced households during the COVID-19 pandemic and make recommendations for policy and development. This study employed a phenomenological research design in alignment with qualitative research. Purposive sampling was used to recruit five female adolescents in Johannesburg. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Data was analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six steps of data analysis. The findings revealed that conflict at home, mental illness, physical and social isolation, a lack of paternal support, and diminished educational performance emerged as risk factors faced by the participants. These findings underscore the need for psychological interventions to help address the risk factors faced by adolescents whose parents divorced during the pandemic and those who face similar circumstances during future crises.