The single-parents' experience of repartnering

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore single-parents’ lived experience of repartnering. A qualitative approach was adopted, namely Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Six semi-structured interviews were carried out with Maltese participants of mixed gender who had experienced the dissolution of relationships with the biological parent of their children and formed new relationships. Four superordinate themes emerged from this study. These included: the beginning, forming the new family, transitions and the formed family. These were then discussed in the light of existing literature. This research showed a wide range of emotions evoked by the parents’ experience of the repartnering process. Moreover, results shed revealing light on the changes that the family has undergone and the way these changes impacted the lives of both parents and children.