HOME ALONE: CHALLENGES THROUGH PARENTAL SEPARATION AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY DYNAMICS

Auteurs-es

  • Leah Mae G. Teodoro Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, Inc., General Santos City, Philippines
  • Gillian Abigail R. Mataac Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, Inc., General Santos City, Philippines

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v12i1.2123

Mots-clés :

home alone, challenges, parental separation, complexities of family dynamics, Philippines

Résumé

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of five young adults aged 18 to 21 in General Santos City, Philippines, who lived alone after parental separation, focusing on their challenges, coping mechanisms, and realizations. Using a phenomenological qualitative research design and in-depth interviews, the study examined participants’ narratives regarding their experiences of living independently after parental separation and the complexities of shifting family dynamics. Thematic analysis revealed nine emergent themes, including emotional and mental health struggles, lack of support systems, financial hardships, seeking emotional release and healing, building inner strength and self-reliance, seeking external support and escape, building strength and faith through resilience and responsibility, healing through personal commitment to breaking the cycle, and the importance of support systems for emotional well-being. The study contributed to the social work field by deepening the understanding of the effects of parental separation within the Filipino cultural context and offering insights for creating responsive interventions that supported emotional and mental healing, as well as familial stability. The study shed light on the strength and resilience of young adults facing life alone and provided a foundation for future research and culturally relevant policymaking.

 

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Biographies de l'auteur-e

  • Leah Mae G. Teodoro, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, Inc., General Santos City, Philippines

    Leah Mae G. Teodoro is a Bachelor of Science in Social Work student at Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, Inc., where she serves as the main author of the study. She has developed foundational competencies in casework, group work, and community organizing, demonstrating her commitment to responsive and community-centered social work practice. Her research interests focus on broken families and family dynamics, with particular attention to understanding their impact on individual functioning and community relationships. Through her academic training, she continues to strengthen her capacity for research and evidence-informed practice in the field of social work.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0842-1064

  • Gillian Abigail R. Mataac, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, Inc., General Santos City, Philippines

    Gillian Abigail R. Mataac, RSW, MSSW, is the Program Director of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, Inc., General Santos City, Philippines. She is a Master of Science in Social Work and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Development at the University of Mindanao. Her academic and research interests focus on social work education, social sciences, and development, with an emphasis on advancing community-based practice and transformative learning in the field. She actively contributes to academic and institutional initiatives that support professional formation and social development.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0622-4187

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Publié

2026-02-03

Numéro

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2026)

Rubrique

Articles