International Journal of Human Ecology 13 (June 2012): 57-69 International Journal of Human Ecology http://dx.doi.org/10.6115/ijhe.2012.13.1.57 SOOHYUN KIM Deaduck University ROBERT MORENO* Syracuse University Effects of Adult Children’s Divorce on Parental Well-being, and Intergenerational Relationships: An Exploratory Study among Korean Families Although the prevalence of divorce in South Korea has greatly increased since late 1990s, the impact of divorce on the parents of adult children in Korean families has received very little attention. This is particularly unfortunate because of the emphasis in Korean culture on family cohesion and obligations. To address these issues, we explored in our study the well-being of the parents of divorced adult children as well as intergenerational relationships among the members of Korean families. Total 113 parents participated (39 males and 74 females), age ranged from 46 to 65. Of the total participants surveyed, 29% were parents of divorced children (N=33), with the remainder having children in intact marriages (N=80). The measures examined four areas: (1) demographics, (2) parental psychological well-being, (3) intergeneration relationships, and (3) parental perception of their adult child’s marital experience. A series of MANOVA and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Our findings indicate important differences between parents of divorced children and parents of non-divorced children on overall well-being, interpersonal relationships, and parental perception, which is consistent with previous studies. Parents of divorced children in this study also reported lower level of intergenerational relationships compared to parents of non- divorced children. Parent-grandchild relationships seem to be particularly important for parental well-being. In addition, we found an unexpected association between parents and their relationship with their former children in- laws. More detailed discussion was discussed. Over the past few decades, soaring divorce rates have had a major impact on families in many contemporary societies, such as North America, Europe, and Asia. This state of affairs has prompted a vast body of research examining the impact of divorce on families. Much of this work has focused on the children of divorced couples, but relatively little has specifically addressed the consequences of divorce on the parents of adult children. This is particularly the case with regard to the consequences of divorce across cultures. As in the United States, the prevalence of divorce in South Korea has greatly increased since late 1990s (Lee, Kim, Choi, Ham, & Kim, 2002). Unfortunately, the impact of divorce on the parents of adult children in Korean families has received very little attention. This is particularly unfortunate because of the emphasis of Korean culture on family cohesion and obligations. Since parent-child relationships are the most important relationships individuals have, these relationships are a major contributor to the well-being of both Corresponding author: Assistant lecturer, Dept of Social Work, Deaduck University, Gajubgkokro 43, Usungku, Deacheon, R.O.Korea (soohyuning@gmail.com) *Associate professor, Dept of Human Ecology, Syracuse University, 426 Ostrom Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13244 (rmoreno@syr.edu) Key Words: Parental well-being, intergenerational relationships, divorce, Korean families, life satisfaction