Remarriage After Divorce: Insights from the Turkish Context

Remarriage After Divorce: Insights from the Turkish Context | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Remarriage After Divorce: Insights from the Turkish Context Ali Güngör This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7186587/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This qualitative study delved into the adjustment experiences of individuals who remarried following divorce. Within the collectivist cultural context of Türkiye, the research involved in-depth interviews were conducted with eight participants aged 30 to 50 years, all of whom had been remarried for less than five years. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, which identified five main themes: emotional and psychological readiness for remarriage, dynamics within the spousal relationship, interactions with ex-spouses and children, coping with social judgment and pressure, and support mechanisms. The findings indicated that past marital experiences significantly shaped expectations and attitudes toward new relationships. Stepparenting and sociocultural norms have emerged as key factors influencing marital adjustment. This study is anchored in Carter and McGoldrick’s Remarried Family Model and Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding how remarried individuals navigate their relationships within complex emotional, social, and cultural systems. These insights are valuable for family counseling practices and policy development, especially in societies in which remarriage remains culturally sensitive and understudied. Remarriage Divorce Stepparenting Family counseling Collectivist culture Introduction Marriage has persisted throughout human history as a significant institution on both the individual and societal levels, functioning as one of the foundational elements of social structure through its legal and cultural dimensions (Gladding, 2015; Ministry of Family and Social Services [MoFSS], 2024). In many societies, this special union has been framed by religious teachings and moral norms, and legitimized by civil authorities to ensure societal order and stability (Aksoy, 2022; Giddens, 2012). However, factors such as modernization, urbanization, individualization, expanded access to education, and increased female participation in the workforce have led to substantial transformations in family structure (Cherlin, 1992; Duran, 2022; In-Depth Statistical Analysis of Family Structure in Türkiye, 2019). These transformations are evident not only in the nature of marriage itself, but also in its continuity and related dynamics, such as divorce, co-parenting, and remarriage (Coleman et al., 2000; McGoldrick & Carter, 2016). With these societal changes, family institutions have taken new forms: single-parent families, non-marital partnerships, childless marriages, the shift from extended to nuclear families, and reconstituted families have become increasingly visible components of social life (Bramlett & Mosher, 2002; Gladding, 2015). This diversification is reflected in individual life choices and societal value systems in various ways (Giddens et al., 2018). With rising divorce rates, remarriage has become a prominent phenomenon in contemporary family structures (Beblo and Solaz 2020; Coleman et al. 2018). Divorce and remarriage, once viewed as exceptions in traditional societies, are now more visible, prevalent, and socially accepted. Nevertheless, this increased visibility has not completely dismantled societal stigma; in collectivist cultures, divorce remains a phenomenon encircled by social prejudice (MoFSS, 2024; Giddens, 2012). This reality directly influences decision-making processes, psychosocial adjustment mechanisms, and social roles of individuals considering remarriage (Sumari et al., 2024). In such cultural contexts, remarriage is not merely a personal decision, but represents a multi-layered process shaped by the influence of extended families, kinship networks, and traditional norms (Coleman et al., 2000). Remarriage is not solely an individual choice, but also a reflection of the crises, transitions, and healing processes encountered in one’s life cycle. The nature of the previous marriage's dissolution, whether by divorce or widowhood, shapes the emotional and psychological imprints left on the individual (Çobanoğlu & Tek, 2021; Giddens, 2012). In this regard, remarriage is not only about forming a new marital bond, but also relates directly to one’s self-concept, emotional well-being, parenting roles, and sense of social belonging (Asgari et al., 2021; McGoldrick & Carter, 2016). This highlights the importance of addressing remarriage both theoretically and practically within fields, such as psychological counseling, family therapy, and social work. The transformation of social structures is among the most decisive factors affecting the institution of marriage and the family (Giddens, 2012). For instance, in Türkiye, significant social changes, such as rapid urbanization since the 1980s, rising education levels, and increased female labor force participation have directly influenced individuals’ tendencies toward marriage and divorce (MoFSS, 2024; In-Depth Statistical Analysis of Family Structure in Türkiye, 2019). According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT, 2025), there were 568,395 marriages and 187,343 divorces by 2024. While approximately 8% of individuals who were married in 2001 had been previously married, this figure rose to 15% by 2024 (TURKSTAT, 2025), indicating that remarriage has become a significant socio-demographic reality that can no longer be overlooked. Many factors influence the decision to remarry, including one’s emotional experiences, societal expectations, economic conditions, the presence or absence of children, and the nature of the previous marriage (Brimhall & Chizk, 2019; Sweeney, 2010). Particularly after divorce, individuals tend to be more cautious and selective in making new marriage decisions; the lessons learned from the previous relationship can lead to more conscious partner choices (Dupont et al., 2021). This suggests that remarriage may also provide opportunities for personal development, emotional maturity, and improved relationship management skills (Li et al., 2023). However, these processes are often undertaken individually, and a lack of professional support and social guidance mechanisms can make the remarriage process more vulnerable (Gladding, 2015). Remarriage following divorce serves psychological, social, and economic functions (Coleman et al., 2000). Psychologically, it reduces loneliness, helps reconstruct social roles, and strengthens emotional support (Hetherington 2003; Kulik and Heine-Cohen 2011). Socially, it enables shared parenting and family cohesion, particularly among children (Li et al., 2023). Economically, remarriage provides renewed financial security, especially for women (Papernow, 2013). However, individuals who remarry face challenges distinct from first marriages and often more complex ones (Çobanoğlu & Tek, 2021). Issues such as children from previous marriages, stepparenting, contact with ex-spouses, and restructuring the family system require attention in remarriages (Greeff & Du Toit, 2009; Santos et al., 2020). These dynamics present challenges for marital adjustment. Research shows that divorce rates are higher for remarriages than first-time marriages. Copen et al. (2012) and Xu et al. (2006) reported that divorce rates in remarriages are 10% higher. In addition to these challenges, coping strategies and support mechanisms developed during the remarriage process are also of great importance. Individuals tend to act more rationally, responsibly, and communication-oriented in their new relationships (Kumar, 2017). These characteristics enhance marital harmony and strengthen relational commitment (Güven 2017). In particular, emotional support, shared goals, and healthy communication patterns play critical roles in sustaining relationships in remarriages (Diamond et al., 2017; Dainton, 2019). Remarriage The multilayered nature of remarriage necessitates a holistic approach that encompasses not only individual psychological transitions, but also family dynamics and interactions within the broader sociocultural context. Accordingly, the present study builds its theoretical foundation on Carter and McGoldrick’s (1999) Developmental Model of Remarried Families and Bronfenbrenner and Morris’s (2006) Bioecological Theory of Human Development . Carter and McGoldrick’s model outlines the developmental stages extending from the emotional healing process following the termination of the first marriage to the adjustment required for establishing a new family structure. This model offers guidance particularly in areas such as the acknowledgment of losses, redefinition of roles and boundaries, expression of emotional needs, and reconstruction of relationships within the context of stepparenting. On the other hand, Bronfenbrenner’s theory situates the experience of remarriage within an ecological system. Starting from the microsystem (family relationships), it extends to the mesosystem (extended family and social networks), exosystem (social institutions and norms), and macrosystem (cultural values and gender roles). The chronosystem level addresses the impact of temporal transitions and life course changes. The integration of these two theoretical models contributes to a multidimensional understanding of remarriage experiences in collectivist cultural contexts, addressing both the individual and social dimensions. Remarriage is increasingly common in contemporary societies but remains complex and underexplored. It should be examined in terms of psychological well-being, reconstruction of social roles, parent-child relationships, and interactions with social norms. Qualitative research on post-divorce remarriage, particularly in collectivist cultures, can facilitate an understanding of the process and support the development of responsive social policies. The current study aimed to explore the adaptation processes of individuals in Türkiye who remarried after divorce. For these individuals, remarriage represents a complex life experience shaped by traces of their past, current responsibilities, and future expectations. This study aimed to uncover how individuals adapt to new marital relationships after divorce, their coping strategies for challenges, and the psychosocial dynamics involved. The findings from the participants' life stories will offer insights into intrafamilial relationships, parenting roles, and gender norms. Documenting the remarriage experiences of men and women in collectivist societies such as Türkiye will contribute to the academic literature and inform policies for strengthening social work, family counseling, and community support systems. Methods Research Design This study is a qualitative inquiry conducted with the aim of deeply understanding the experiences of individuals who remarried after divorce in a collectivist society. Given the multilayered nature of remarriage and the unique experiences that individuals encounter throughout this process, a qualitative perspective was deemed necessary. This approach enables an in-depth exploration of participants’ narratives, contextual realities, and personal meaning-making processes (Bacon et al., 2020 ). In this context, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted as the methodological framework. IPA is a qualitative research method that facilitates the exploration of how individuals make sense of particular life experiences, and aims to analyze subjective experiences in depth. This approach allows the researcher to interpret participants’ lived experiences from their perspectives while maintaining fidelity to their meaning-making framework (Smith & Osborn, 2008 ). The phenomenological approach is widely recognized as an effective tool for investigating family relationships, personal reconstruction processes, and experiences shaped within social contexts. Therefore, when examining complex and highly individualized phenomena, such as remarriage, IPA offers both a theoretically grounded and methodologically sound foundation for inquiry (Smith et al., 2009 ). Participants and Sampling In line with the principles of IPA, a purposive, small-scale sampling strategy was adopted in this study (Smith et al., 2009 ). In the initial phase, 21 individuals were contacted through calls made via social media platforms (WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook). These individuals were subjected to a preliminary evaluation based on the eligibility criteria determined by the researchers. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) having remarried after divorce; (2) being between the ages of 30 and 50; (3) having been born, raised, and currently residing in Turkey; and (4) having been in their remarriage for five years or less. Preliminary interviews were conducted with applicants, resulting in the identification of six individuals who met all inclusion criteria. However, due to the initial gender imbalance—only one male participant—it became necessary to issue a second recruitment call to ensure gender diversity in the sample (Smith et al., 2009 ). Following the renewed recruitment process and additional interviews, two additional male participants were included in the study. Ultimately, the final sample consisted of eight participants: five women and three men. Pseudonyms were used during the data presentation process to protect participant confidentiality. The demographic characteristics of the participants are presented in Table 1 . Table 1 Demographic Features of Participants (n = 8). Participant ID Age Gender Education Level Occupation Number of Children from First Marriage Duration of Remarriage K1 34 Female University Teacher 1 2 years K2 39 Male High School Cashier 2 1 year K3 46 Female High School Executive Secretary None 3 years K4 44 Female University Nurse 2 2 years K5 42 Male Master’s Degree Laboratory Technician None 4 years K6 37 Female Middle School Housewife 1 3 years K7 47 Male University Accountant 1 5 years K8 30 Female University Human Resources Specialist 1 1 year Data Collection Process One of the most effective methods for capturing the essence of participants’ experiences in phenomenological research is in-depth interviews (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016 ). Prior to the interviews, informed consent was obtained from all participants. The interviews were audio-recorded and field notes were taken throughout the sessions to capture nonverbal cues, facial expressions, physical appearances, and the interview environment. All participants were informed of the purpose and scope of the study, the principles of confidentiality and anonymity, and their right to withdraw from the research at any point. To ensure a systematic interview process, an interview protocol was developed and followed for all interviews. Based on Seidman’s ( 2006 ) three-stage interview model, each participant was interviewed thrice. The first interview focused on demographic background and life history, the second explored the detailed aspects of their experiences, and the third encouraged a reflective evaluation of the meaning of these experiences. In line with IPA, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted using open-ended questions. This approach allowed the participants to freely express their experiences. Interviews were conducted between September 2024 and February 2025, with each session lasting approximately 35–48 min. The data collection process was concluded when recurring themes emerged across the interviews, indicating that data saturation had been achieved. This level of saturation demonstrated that the collected data sufficiently captured the complexity and richness of the phenomena under investigation. Interviews were conducted either face-to-face or online between the researcher and the participants. For in-person interviews, participants selected the interview location to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. Online interviews were conducted via Google Meet, scheduled for the participants’ convenience, and carried out in adherence to confidentiality principles. All the interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data Analysis All interviews were conducted with eight remarried individuals (five women and three men) following divorce and were transcribed verbatim. The researcher engaged intensively with the data by rereading the transcripts multiple times to ensure a deep understanding and internalization of the participants' narratives (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016 ). The data analysis process followed a six-stage procedure to examine textual data: (1) reading and re-reading, (2) initial noting, (3) developing emergent codes and themes, (4) exploring connections across themes, (5) moving to the next case, and (6) identifying patterns across cases (Smith et al., 2009 ). Following the IPA steps proposed by Smith and Osborn ( 2008 ), the researcher first made descriptive notes on the transcripts, identifying significant expressions, explanations, and emotional reactions to integrate with the data. These elements were coded as follows: The generated codes reflected more abstract researcher interpretations intended to capture the essence of participants’ experiences. Throughout the analysis, the researcher continually returned to the raw data to evaluate the extent to which interpretations aligned with the participants' meaning-making frameworks. The analysis explored both the “what” and “how” of participants’ accounts to uncover underlying layers of meaning. Next, the codes were compared and their relationships were examined. They were organized into themes and subthemes. The emergent concepts from the data were structured to reflect both the participants’ voices and researcher’s interpretations. This procedure was repeated for each interview, and recurring themes were identified across the participants. To enhance the credibility of the findings, an external expert in the fields of divorce, family, and relationships participated as a blind coder. The blind coder discussed their preliminary findings with the primary researcher to review the process in terms of reflexivity and validity (Daly, 2007 ; Smith & Osborn, 2008 ). Peer debriefing was also conducted with another field expert to minimize researcher subjectivity, especially in areas of disagreement (Nelson et al., 2013 ). Moreover, member checking was performed by providing participants with summaries of their interviews to confirm data accuracy. To enhance the trustworthiness of the findings further, two additional field experts reviewed the interpreted data from a critical perspective. Finally, the researchers summarized the emergent themes and subthemes in Table 2 , supported by direct quotations from the interviews (Yardley, 2000 ). Findings The findings of this qualitative study reveal the lived experiences of divorced individuals who remarried in a collectivist culture, based on an IPA approach. The main themes and subthemes that emerged from the analysis are presented in Table 2. Direct quotations from the interview transcripts were included to support the interpretations and thematic structure. Table 2 Themes and sub-themes Theme No Main Theme Title Sub-themes 1 The Process of Remarriage Decision-Making and Motivations Emotions and Hesitations Before Remarriage Impact of Past Experiences on New Marriage 2 Coping Strategies Post-divorce recovery and self-rebuilding Seeking social support and assistance Role of Faith and Acceptance 3 Spousal Relationship Dynamics Division of Roles and Responsibilities: Constructing Communication and Trust Patience and Process of Adjustment 4 Relationships with Former Spouses Co-Parenting and Children's adjustments Setting the Boundaries and Role of the New Spouse Managing Conflicts: 5 Social Judgments Stigmatization and Prejudice Family and community pressures Societal acceptance of rearries The Process of Remarriage This theme explored the process participants underwent when stepping into a new marriage following divorce, including the emotions, thoughts, and decision-making mechanisms involved in their remarriage journey. Decision-Making and Motivations: Participants highlighted the motivations behind their decisions to remarry. Male participants perceived divorce as a "failure" in society's eyes and viewed remarriage as a way to re-establish normalcy. K7 (47 years old, male, father of one) expressed: "After the divorce, I felt like a failure in the eyes of society. I thought remarrying would help restore order in my life." Female participants emphasized avoiding social stigma as a "widowed woman" and providing stability for their children. K4 (34 years old, female, mother of two) summarized: "Raising children alone was very difficult. I decided to remarry so they could feel a father's love and so I wouldn't be labeled a 'widowed woman' by others." Emotions and Hesitations Before Remarriage: Participants described mixed emotions before deciding to remarry. Remarriage brought hope for a new beginning, but was shadowed by fears of past disappointments. K1 (38 years old, female, mother of one) shared: "When I decided to remarry, I felt both great excitement and indescribable fear. I was thrilled about the possibility of happiness, but I couldn't sleep at night, worrying that I might face the same heartbreak again." K2 (40 years old, male, father of two) noted: "My biggest concern before entering a second marriage was the possibility of repeating the mistakes I made in my first marriage." These reflections show the duality of hope and anxiety during decision-making. The impact of past experiences on new marriages: Previous marital experiences influenced participants' approaches to second unions. The participants became more aware of past problems and took steps to avoid repeating the patterns. K8 (32 years old, female, mother of one) reflected: "In my first marriage, my husband and I drifted apart because of poor communication and lack of mutual understanding. This time, I know how to address those gaps." Participants acknowledged being either too self-sacrificing or self-centered in first marriages and made efforts to find balance in their second. This indicates divorced individuals draw lessons from past relationships and approach remarriages with greater emotional maturity. Coping Strategies Another major theme, coping strategies, refers to the ways in which participants manage the challenges they encounter during the post-divorce and remarriage processes. This includes methods adopted to handle stress, emotional strain, and social pressure. Post-Divorce Recovery and Rebuilding : Participants emphasized needing time and effort to overcome emotional difficulties after divorce. K6 (35 years old, female, mother of one) reflected: "The first year after divorce was extremely difficult for me. I felt helpless and heartbroken. But over time, I learned to value myself again and accepted that I had to move on with life." This reflects their process of rebuilding to adapt to major life transitions. Individuals described embarking on a healing journey to regain self-esteem and prepare for future relationships. Seeking Social Support and Help Participants highlighted the importance of support during difficult times. Family and friends served as essential sources of emotional and practical support. K5 (42 years old, male, no children) stated, "I could not have made it through without my family and close friends. After the divorce, my mother moved in to help my children, and my friends checked me daily. Their support helped me hold on to life again." Some participants (K3, K8, and K7) sought professional assistance through therapy or counseling. The support received from others played a significant role in participants' psychological adjustment and ability to engage in remarriage with resilience. The Role of Faith and Acceptance : Participants drew strength from spiritual beliefs and acceptance to make sense of their experiences. Among female participants, concepts like "destiny" and "blessings in disguise" were referenced to reframe divorce as a potential new beginning. K1 (38 years old, female, mother of one) shared: " I started to believe that there's good in everything. When I saw my hardships as a test from God, my hope for finding happiness again grew stronger." Male participants (K2 and K7) emphasized accepting and letting go of the past. This illustrates how spiritual values and belief in fate provide emotional resilience and contribute to healing processes. Spousal Relationship Dynamics This theme encompasses interactions between remarried individuals and their new spouses, including marital roles, communication styles, and how experiences from prior marriages influence their current relationships. In remarriages, spousal dynamics often reflect both residual patterns from previous marriages and novelties introduced by a fresh start. Division of Roles and Responsibilities : Participants reported making conscious efforts in their second marriage to establish a more balanced distribution of responsibilities with spouses. Past experiences, particularly regarding domestic labor, financial management, and childcare, exposed previous imbalances. In response, remarried individuals aim for greater equity in role divisions. K5 (42 years old, male, no children) explained: "In my first marriage, household chores and childcare were all on my wife, and I was too absorbed in work. Now, my spouse and I share everything—we take turns picking up the kids, cooking, and other tasks." Female participants (K4, K6, and K8) noted they expected more support from new spouses and clarified needs through open communication. This sub-theme demonstrates that remarried couples who draw lessons from prior unions redefine marital roles more consciously and equitably. Building Communication and Trust : Strong communication and mutual trust were described as foundational to second marriages' success. Participants shared that informed by first marriage experiences, they now express emotions openly, resolve conflicts through dialogue, and foster trust. K6 (35 years old, female, mother of one) emphasized: "There are no secrets between my new husband and me. Even with the least concern, I voiced it. Since poor communication caused many problems in my previous marriage, now we make sure to consult each other on everything." K2 (40 years old, male, father of two) reflected: "In this marriage, we have corrected past mistakes. We've promised to be transparent and never lie to each other." These narratives reveal that open communication and trust cultivation are critical to reinforcing remarried couples' emotional foundation. Patience and the Process of Adaptation : Participants underscored the necessity of mutual patience during the early stages of remarriage, as both partners bring personal histories, habits, and sensitivities into the new relationship. Many studies have described the importance of accommodating differences. K3 (46 years old, female, no children) stated: "Eventually, we accepted our differences and adapted to a shared rhythm." Male participants, K2 and K7, reported becoming more attuned to their wives' emotional triggers and past wounds. This sub-theme illustrates how remarried couples invest in each other's emotional worlds and gradually build a shared space through patience, adaptability, and mutual effort. Spousal Relationship Dynamics This theme encompasses the interactions of remarried individuals with their new spouses, including their marital roles, communication patterns, and how experiences of previous marriages are reflected in their current relationships. Relationships formed in second marriages incorporate both the dynamics carried over from past unions and the distinct features of a new beginning. Division of Roles and Responsibilities : Participants stated that in second marriages, they made conscious efforts to establish balanced division of labor with their spouses. Experiences from first marriages revealed inequities in household chores, financial matters, and childcare. Thus, remarried individuals aim to create more equitable distribution of roles. K5 (42 years old, male, no children) reflected: "In my first marriage, household duties and child-rearing responsibilities fell entirely on my wife. I was too absorbed into my work. Now, my spouse and I share everything—from picking the kids up from school to cooking." Female participants (K4, K6, and K8) reported expecting more support from spouses in second marriages and communicated expectations openly. This indicates that remarried couples, drawing on past experiences, redefine marital roles with greater awareness. Constructing Communication and Trust : The foundation of successful second marriages, according to participants, lies in strong communication and trust. Participants emphasized that they now express emotions openly, resolve problems through dialogue, and cultivate mutual confidence. K6 (35 years old, female, mother of one) stated, "There are no secrets between my new husband and me. Even the smallest concern that crosses my mind during the day, I share it openly. We consult each other about everything to avoid the communication breakdowns I experienced in my first marriage." K2 (40 years old, male, father of two) recalled issues of mistrust from his previous relationship: "In this marriage, we are correcting past mistakes. We promised to be open with each other and never lie." These examples show that open communication and trust building reinforce emotional stability in remarried couples. Patience and the Process of Adjustment : Participants emphasized that spouses bring habits from previous lives into second marriages, requiring mutual patience and time for adjustment. In early months, couples adapted to differences in tolerance and flexibility. K3 (46 years old, female, no children) shared: "At first, I found some of my husband's habits strange, but I learned to be patient and to see things from his perspective. Over time, we accepted our differences and established a shared routine." Male participants K2 and K7 stated they had learned to be more mindful of sensitive issues from their partners' past. This shows that remarried couples make adjustments to harmonize with each other's emotional world, with patience being key to lasting relational harmony. Relationships with Former Spouses This theme explores how remarried individuals manage their relationships with their former spouses, particularly when children are involved, and how these relationships influence their current marriages. Co-Parenting and Children's Adjustment Participants with children from previous marriages emphasized maintaining a healthy relationship between their children and biological parent after remarriage. While acknowledging difficulty, they continued efforts to ensure coparenting for their children's well-being. Parents stated they communicated with ex-spouses solely for their children and tried to make important decisions collaboratively. K4 (34 years old, female, mother of two) stated, "My relationship with my ex-husband is strictly limited to matters related to our children. If we need to make a decision, we will try to sit down and discuss it. It's very important for me that my children maintain a healthy bond with both parents, and I do my best to support that." Similarly, fathers (K5 and K7) mentioned that maintaining respectful interactions between their children and both parents contributed to the children's sense of safety and happiness. This sub-theme indicates that remarried parents are mindful of their children's transition and cooperate with ex-spouses for their children's psychological adjustment. Setting Boundaries and the Role of the New Spouse : Participants emphasized establishing clear boundaries with former spouses to protect their new marriage. New spouses valued minimizing unnecessary interactions with ex-spouses. K7 (47 years old, male, father of one) summarized: "My ex-wife and I are no longer friends; we only communicate regarding our children. Out of respect for my new wife, we've drawn clear boundaries." However, some participants (K2, K4, and K6) were cautious in helping new partners adopt the role of stepmother or stepfather, acknowledging that former spouses sometimes complicate this process. This sub-theme shows that remarried individuals maintain appropriate distance and clarity of roles in their interactions with former spouses, prioritizing the emotional stability of both their children and their new partners. Managing Conflicts : Remarriage can lead to conflicts with former spouses. Post-divorce feelings like resentment or jealousy caused tension in new marriages, along with disagreements over child custody or parenting decisions. K8 (32 years old, female, mother of one) shared: "When my ex-husband heard I had remarried, he became very angry. At one point, he threatened to keep our child from me. We tried to stay calm and reason with him to ease the situation." Female participants (K3, K4, and K1) expressed discomfort regarding their ex-husbands' interference with their new marriages. They indicated they prioritized shielding their children from harm and considered seeking legal support when necessary. The participants highlighted their efforts to remain patient and composed in conflicts, focusing on preserving their children's emotional well-being. This sub-theme reveals that while tensions with former spouses persist, managing these conflicts involves a conciliatory attitude and firm boundaries when needed. Social Judgments The final main theme, social judgments, explored the attitudes and societal prejudices faced by participants as individuals who had experienced both divorce and remarriage. Stigmatization and Prejudice : Some participants (K3 and K4) reported feeling the weight of social stigma, particularly related to the “divorced” or “widowed” label, after their marriages ended. In particular, female participants expressed concern about the negative image that accompanied them being divorced, especially in their neighborhoods or workplaces. For example, K1 (38 years old, female, mother of one) stated: “After my neighbors learned that I was divorced, some of them started looking at me differently—as if I were a threat to married women. They kept their distance.” Male participants also noted that they were sometimes subjected to remarks such as “Why did you destroy your family?” but acknowledged that social pressure on women was more intense. This sub-theme highlights how divorced and remarried individuals are often subjected to various forms of labeling and stereotyping in society. Family and Community Pressure : Participants also described pressure from their immediate family members and social circles regarding remarriage. Families are often eager to see their divorced sons remarry quickly or are concerned about leaving their divorced daughters alone. K2 (40 years old, male, father of two) shared: “My family did not want me to be alone. My mother kept saying, ‘Don’t be dependent on anyone—we’ll find you a suitable wife.’” Similarly, some female participants reported being encouraged or even pressured by their families or neighbors to remarry, hearing phrases like, “Don’t remain single—you need a husband to protect you.” This sub-theme illustrates how divorced individuals often encounter familial expectations and interventions about remarriage, regardless of their personal readiness or preference. Societal Acceptance of Remarriage Participants also reflected on how societal attitudes toward remarriage evolved over time. K7 (47 years old, male, father of one) stated, “At the beginning of my second marriage, people around me were skeptical. Some relatives were judgmental because my new wife was divorced. But as they saw how happy we were, they eventually accepted us.” Many participants echoed this sentiment, noting that as they demonstrated happiness and stability, those around them became more supportive. This sub-theme suggests that, while society may initially approach remarriage with skepticism, positive lived experiences and visible family harmony can contribute to increasing acceptance over time. Discussion This section presents a comparative analysis of the study’s findings regarding remarriage experiences in the Turkish context, drawing on both national and international literature. The qualitative themes identified through participant narratives were interpreted in relation to existing empirical studies, with attention to both convergence and divergence. Each theme is examined through a culturally sensitive lens, recognizing the unique sociocultural dynamics that shape remarriage in Turkey. By situating these findings within broader theoretical and empirical frameworks, this discussion aims to deepen our understanding of how individuals navigate post-divorce marital transitions in a context marked by traditional family expectations and evolving societal norms. Remarriage Process The findings indicate that remarriage after divorce involves complex phases of emotional recovery, decision-making, and adjustment. Participants emphasized the need for mental and emotional preparation to adapt to challenges after their first marriage dissolution. This observation aligns with Ayadi et al.'s ( 2022 ) qualitative study in Iran, which highlights the need for emotional and cognitive readiness before remarriage. The authors noted that entering a second marriage without such readiness may exacerbate unresolved trauma from the first union. Similarly, Sumari et al. ( 2024 ), studying remarried women in Malaysia, reported that participants experienced emotional turbulence, acceptance of reality, and ambivalence before committing to a new marriage. These findings are consistent with those of our Turkish sample, particularly regarding hesitation and emotional oscillations before remarrying. A salient dimension of the remarriage process is individuals’ motivation and expectations. Participants in this study associated remarriage with coping with loneliness, finding emotional support, and establishing a “complete” family structure for their children. This finding is consistent with existing literature, which describes remarriage as a potential coping strategy that enhances post-divorce adjustment (Ayadi et al., 2022 ; Hetherington, 2003 ; Tran et al., 2023 ). For instance, a study conducted in China found that remarried older adults reported fewer symptoms of depression, with the effect particularly significant among men (Li et al., 2021 ). Conversely, similar mental health benefits were not observed among women, suggesting that the advantages of remarriage may vary by gender. This gendered disparity makes a unique contribution to the literature, underscoring the need for more nuanced interpretations of remarriage outcomes. In recent years, societal attitudes toward remarriage in Turkey have undergone significant change. In their large-scale sociological review, Çobanoğlu and Tek ( 2021 ) found that the remarriage rates for both men and women increased markedly after the early 2000s. Between 2001 and 2019, the remarriage rate among divorced women increased by 84%, while that for men increased by 72%. These statistics suggest that traditional social barriers to remarriage have diminished and that second marriages are becoming more culturally accepted. However, despite these broader shifts, the decision to remarry women remains a complex process. Female participants in this study reported prolonged hesitation shaped by social judgments and a desire to prioritize the well-being of their children. This reflects findings from previous studies that women face greater social scrutiny and internal conflict than men when considering remarriage (Asgari et al., 2021 ; Ayadi et al., 2022 ; Dupont et al., 2021 ). In conclusion, the remarriage process involves multidimensional adaptation, encompassing both psychological and cultural factors. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of internalizing lessons learned from divorce experiences and undertaking the necessary emotional preparation. In this context, this study contributes to the literature by highlighting the need for preventive counseling and psychoeducational interventions tailored to individuals. Coping Strategies in the Remarriage Process Coping strategies during remarriage are crucial for relationship satisfaction and marital continuity. The findings indicate that remarried individuals adopt various approaches to managing emotional, social, and relational stressors. Participants reported seeking support from family networks, friends, or individuals with similar experiences. This support served as a buffer against emotional difficulties of adapting to remarried life. This observation is supported by McKenry and Price (1991), who identified family and peer support, as well as a new romantic partner as essential resources for post-divorce adjustment. However, not all participants sought or received such support. A study in Iran found that remarried individuals tended to distance themselves from former social circles due to fear of judgment (Ayadi et al., 2022 ). Similarly, in our study, some female participants expressed reluctance to share emotional struggles due to the social stigma of being labeled a "divorced woman" or "widow" (K3, K4). This pattern reflects an avoidant coping style marked by distress internalization and withdrawal from social interaction, which has been documented in collectivist societies (Sumari et al., 2024 ). Participants developed adaptive coping mechanisms. Improved communication and problem-solving skills were key in resolving conflicts during second marriage. These findings align with Ayadi et al.'s (2025) meta-synthesis, emphasizing pre-remarital education programs focusing on emotional healing, expectations, and interpersonal skills. Participants sought therapy to address trust issues from their first marriage, an approach endorsed for remarriage (McGoldrick & Carter, 2016; Hetherington, 2003 ). Gender and cultural dynamics shape coping preferences. Male participants relied on new spouses, while female participants drew on friendships and family support. These differences echo findings that men experience greater psychosocial gains from remarriage than women (Li et al., 2021 ). In Japan, remarried mothers reported lower well-being than women in intact marriages (Raymo et al., 2024 ), highlighting emotional labor in new marital bonds. The coping strategies aligned with international literature. Approaches like social support, communication, counseling, and patience were identified as pivotal in managing remarriage challenges. As emphasized by McGoldrick and Carter ( 2016 ), successful remarriage requires multidimensional adjustment, integrating psychological resources and support systems. Our findings reaffirm this view, showing the importance of resilience and support networks in fostering stable second marriages. Marital Relationship Dynamics in Remarriage Marital dynamics in remarriages differ from those in first marriages. Participants reported that communication, trust, role distribution, and conflict resolution in second marriages differed from previous marriages. Several participants indicated that negative experiences in first marriages made them more cautious and communicative in new relationships. Individuals who struggled with open communication made efforts to express feelings and address issues directly during remarriage. Despite these efforts, some participants noted increased tension during second marriage. This aligns with findings by Dupont et al. ( 2021 ), Santos et al. (2021), and Tran et al. ( 2023 ), who observed that remarried couples may experience greater relational strain than first marriages. Similarly, Bramlett and Mosher ( 2002 ) found that remarried individuals more likely report feelings of undervaluation, avoidance of conflict, and difficulties establishing intimacy. Participants who ended first marriages in distressing ways expressed that minor conflicts in second marriages triggered anxiety and fear of relationship failure. This is consistent with Russell's (2019) findings, which suggest that first marriage failure may undermine self-efficacy, causing small disputes to be perceived as major stressors in remarriages. A key factor complicating remarriage is incompatible conflict-management strategies. Participants noted that they and new spouses struggled during disagreements due to habits from previous marriages. One participant remarked, "During our first argument, my husband shut down completely. He used to do that with his ex—just to avoid everything. I try to talk things through, so we clashed a lot in the beginning." Such accounts support Widiastuti's (2021) assertion that mismatched conflict styles are common in remarriage. According to Copen et al. ( 2012 ), divorce risk is 10% higher in second marriages due to unresolved conflicts and ineffective coping. Our findings suggest couples carry defensive behaviors into remarriage, causing difficulties. However, participants who received premarital counseling or had greater awareness of relational dynamics reported more success overcoming these challenges, validating the importance of preparation, as emphasized in the literature. Sexual adjustment and intimacy can pose challenges to remarriage. While briefly mentioned in our study, some older participants expressed discomfort establishing intimacy with their new partner after years with their previous spouse. Studies indicate that physical closeness follows emotional intimacy, suggesting sexual compatibility issues in remarriage may be transient. Similar findings were reported by Ayadi et al. (2025), who noted that intimacy often improves with time and communication. Financial stress affects remarriage dynamics. Participants noted that obligations from previous marriages, including alimony, child support, debt, and income disparities, caused conflicts. These findings align with studies showing financial stress reduces marital satisfaction (Crapo et al. 2021 ; Van Dijk and Kok 2021 ). Couples with financial tension experienced communication breakdowns. Those managing finances jointly strengthened relationships, supporting Ayadi et al.'s (2025) conclusion that transparency protects remarriages. Our findings suggest remarriages are complex yet fulfilling when nurtured. First marriages offer risk factors and learning opportunities. Literature emphasizes remarried couples must renegotiate roles and set boundaries for restructured families. Participants learned to redefine roles as partners and stepparents through dialogue. Though challenging for some, others balanced through respect and equality. Sumari et al. ( 2024 ) found Muslim women in Malaysia also restructured roles in remarriage, initially difficult but leading to satisfaction. Despite cultural differences, findings show communication, trust, conflict resolution, and role alignment are central to healthy marriages. When cultivated, remarried couples build resilient partnerships. Relationships with Ex-Spouses and Children One of the most critical dimensions of remarriage involves individuals’ ongoing relationships with their ex-spouses and, where applicable, the status of their children from previous marriages. In the present study, participants reported experiencing various difficulties in this regard but also adopted different strategies to cope with them. Particularly for individuals with children from their first marriage, maintaining parental roles and supporting their children’s adjustment were central concerns within the remarriage process. Similarly, the literature highlights that one of the greatest challenges for stepfamilies is children's adaptation and conflict between marital and parental roles. In this context, Ayadi et al. (2025) identified “parenting-marriage role conflict” and multiple tensions caused by children’s presence as core categories in remarriage dynamics. The experiences of our participants align with this finding: many reported that their relationships with their new spouses were frequently tested due to child-related issues and that parenting responsibilities often created tension within the marriage. Relationships with ex-spouses affect remarriages. Some participants maintained contact with former spouses for co-parenting, causing problems in the new marriage. For those with high-conflict relationships with ex-partners, tension transfers into remarriages. Research cites disputes with ex-spouses as a major source of stress in remarried couples. Crapo et al. ( 2021 ) emphasized that challenges from former spouses and child-related responsibilities make remarriages more fragile than first marriages. Participants with disputes over child support, custody, and visitation reported their new spouses reacted negatively. One female participant stated, "Every time I talk to my ex, it turns into a scene. My husband gets jealous or angry, and I'm caught in the middle," highlighting the stress of being emotionally "in-between." This shows the importance of boundaries: maintaining limited, respectful, child-focused communication with the ex-spouse is crucial for trust in the new relationship. Step-parenting plays a pivotal role in shaping spouse-child relationships during remarriages. Participants emphasized that this role develops over time and requires patience. Stepparents expressed concerns about being misunderstood—either perceived as "trying to replace" the biological parent when showing affection, or "emotionally distant" when maintaining space. Similar hesitations have been documented in Iranian studies (Asgari et al., 2021 ; Ayadi et al., 2022 ), where stepparents, especially those without biological children, reported indecision about their role. Our findings indicate this process involves trial-and-error. The participants noted that establishing trust and open communication helped ease the transition. For instance, one stepfather described building a friendly connection with his stepson, and only assumed a fatherly role after trust had been established. In summary, the findings of our study demonstrate that mandatory ongoing contact with ex-spouses and the adaptation of children to new family structures pose major challenges in remarriage. The literature emphasizes the importance of spousal collaboration, open communication, boundary setting, and, when possible, co-parenting strategies focused on the well-being of the child (Sumari et al., 2016; Sumari et al., 2024 ). Our participants similarly reported that, although these matters were often challenging, efforts to act in unison with their new spouses concerning children and ex-spouses contributed to marital cohesion. In contrast, couples who failed to reach consensus on these issues reported a deepening conflict. Thus, restructuring family roles in remarriages and establishing an acceptable balance for all parties (spouses, children, and former spouses) is considered critical. Both our findings and international research indicate that this balance can be developed over time through open communication, clear boundaries, empathy and, in some cases, professional support. Social Judgments Social judgments regarding the phenomenon of remarriage profoundly impact individual experiences. In our study, female participants reported that stigmatizing attitudes and judgments from society during divorce and remarriage adversely affected their mental health. In the traditional structure of Turkish society, especially in rural areas, divorced women are often labeled as “widows,” a term frequently carrying negative connotations. One of our participants shared that after her first marriage ended, she received warnings from those around her such as “You are a widow now, you need to be more careful,” making her feel as if her social value had diminished. These findings indicate the presence of social stigmatization in Turkey; divorced women are often perceived as a threat by their married peers and may experience social exclusion or mistreatment. One female participant sorrowfully recounted how after her divorce, her neighbors stopped inviting her to home visits and attempted to keep their husbands away from her. This situation aligns with findings in the literature, which note that divorced women are stigmatized as “homewreckers” or “a threat to family unity” (Parker et al., 2016). Viewing social judgments through a gendered lens reveals double standards. Male participants noted milder societal reactions to divorces than women, with remarriage seen as "normal" under "he's a man, of course he'll remarry." Female participants reported intense societal pressure and restrictions post-divorce. These findings align with Berktay (2012), who argues patriarchal societies position divorced women as "the other" and blame them. A study in Turkey found harassment of divorced women was more common than for men (Demirci, 2015 ). Our study revealed similar accounts: a female participant shared that a male manager made immoral advances, implying "you're on your own now." Such incidents highlight problematic roles society assigns divorced women. For some, remarriage is seen as escape from stigma. Participants said the "widow" label vanished after remarriage, gaining respect. One participant stated, "In people's eyes, I became 'normal' again." This was also seen in Lee's (2018) study in Germany, which linked higher life satisfaction among remarried individuals to societal reacceptance. Literature shows remarriage can repair the perception of "failure" from divorce and enhance psychological wellbeing (Brimhall & Chizk, 2019 ; Kulik & Heine-Cohen, 2011 ; McGoldrick & Carter, 2016 ). Our results align with these findings. Cultural and religious values shape social judgment. In Islamic culture, divorce and remarriage are considered legitimate, and individuals who have separated or lost spouses are encouraged to remarry. Although these practices are religiously sanctioned, cultural norms often disapprove of divorce and remarriage, particularly for women. Some participants reported family elders warning them, "Don't destroy your home; second marriages don't bring peace." These remarks stem from the idealization of lifelong marriage and perception of divorce as social shame. However, this perspective has begun to shift in response to rising divorce rates. The increase in remarriage rates among widowed and divorced individuals in Turkey between 2001 and 2019 indicates society's growing acceptance of remarriages. According to Çobanoğlu and Tek ( 2021 ), women's empowerment in education, economics, and cultural awareness has contributed to this shift. As women become self-sufficient, they gain courage to end unsatisfying marriages and resist societal pressure when choosing to remarry. Social judgments shape remarriage experiences in multiple ways. Divorced and remarried individuals strive to normalize their lives while facing stigma. The softening of societal attitudes and growing awareness of divorce help diminish these judgments. As Lee ( 2018 ) notes, sustainable happiness in remarried individuals depends on their reintegration into society and reduced stigma. Some participants stated that remarriage's greatest benefit was "being accepted again by society." The normalization of attitudes toward divorced individuals contributes to psychosocial well-being. Given divorce's prevalence, a cultural shift in social attitudes is essential for healthy remarriages. In a society where marriage and divorce hold significant cultural weight, supporting the family institution requires easing the path to remarriage. Studies in Turkey and other cultures suggest this transformation is underway, though achieving positive societal outlook requires time, education, and media support. The findings align with national and international literature. Remarriage is complex, involving psychological, social, economic, and cultural dimensions. While challenges and coping strategies contain universal themes, they are shaped by cultural contexts. Research shows remarriage involves internal and external challenges. Internal factors include trauma from first marriage and emotional/financial issues, while external factors include societal reactions, child-rearing, and relationships with former spouses. Our findings confirm these dynamics. Remarried individuals face emotional healing while integrating children and past attachments into new family structures. Those who succeed may show post-traumatic growth and achieve satisfaction in second marriages. Our findings suggest remarriage can positively affect both men and women, varying by gender, children, and other factors. Women experience remarriage under societal scrutiny, leading to cautious adjustment. Men often remarry quickly due to emotional and practical needs but face challenges managing new family structures, typically from unresolved previous relationship issues. Limitations This qualitative study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of individuals who remarried after a divorce. Although it provides context-rich and insightful findings, it also has certain limitations that should be acknowledged. The participant profile showed limited diversity in socioeconomic background. Most participants were high school graduates from urban areas. This poses a constraint in representing remarriage experiences of individuals in rural regions or those with lower education. Second, although gender distribution was balanced, the study did not analyze how societal gender roles influenced participants' remarriage experiences. Since men and women may ascribe different meanings to remarriage and respond differently to social expectations, future studies with larger samples should conduct comparative analyses based on sex. Third, data collected were based on participants' self-reports. The shared experiences may have been shaped by memory and current relational dynamics, raising the possibility of idealization or distortion due to emotional intensity. Similar limitations have been noted in previous research (Azadeh & Barati, 2023; Liu et al., 2021), highlighting the importance of interpreting subjective narratives within context. Fourth, this study focused solely on remarried individuals. Perspectives of those remaining single after divorce were not included. The decision not to remarry is often influenced by life circumstances, personal values, and marital experiences. Future research should consider perceptions of individuals who choose alternative paths after divorce. Finally, although three interviews were conducted with each participant, all data were collected during a single phase, limiting assessment of how remarriage dynamics evolve over time. Marital relationships are dynamic and multidimensional, often undergoing significant changes. Future research could benefit from longitudinal qualitative designs to track individuals' remarriage journeys across stages and gain insight into temporal shifts in relational processes. Recommendations for Future Research and Practice The process of remarriage following divorce is not merely the formation of a new romantic partnership between two individuals; it also involves the reconstruction of family structure and the redefinition of roles and relationships. The challenges experienced throughout this process can significantly impact individuals’ psychosocial adjustment capacity, couple interaction skills, and attitudes towards their social environment. When evaluated alongside the present findings and existing literature, a clear need emerges for both preventive and supportive intervention programs tailored to remarried individuals and families. First, cognitive and emotional preparation for remarriage among divorced individuals should be supported, particularly addressing emotional healing, unresolved attachment issues, and personal insight. A specialized premarital counseling protocol tailored to previously divorced individuals is recommended. Second, addressing unresolved conflicts from prior marriages is crucial to prevent their recurrence. Structured counseling sessions should equip individuals with essential life skills such as conflict resolution, empathy development, self-awareness, and effective communication for relational stability. The third recommendation involves addressing unrealistic expectations and cognitive distortions related to remarriage. Individuals entering a second marriage may carry negative beliefs shaped by past experiences, affecting new relational dynamics. Therefore, premarital counseling should incorporate cognitive restructuring techniques to help individuals identify and reframe maladaptive thinking patterns, fostering healthier relational expectations. Finally, enhancing public awareness of divorce and remarriage, reducing societal stigma, and strengthening social support networks are vital. Culturally sensitive public information campaigns can contribute to a more supportive environment for individuals undergoing life transition. With increased awareness and inclusion, remarried families can provide a functional, stable environment for adults and children. Declarations Acknowledgments We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the participants who generously devoted their time to contribute to this study. Ethical Approval This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of xxxx University. To comply with the committee’s standards, the author prepared informed consent forms and provided the participants with detailed information regarding the research process and its objectives. All participants read and signed informed consent forms before participation. All procedures involving human participants were carried out in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Data Availability Statement The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Funding This research received no specific grants from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Conflict of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article. References Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı [Ministry of Family and Social Services]. (2024). Strategic Plan 2024–2028. https://www.aile.tr/sgbd/arge-raporlar/ Aksoy, M. M. (2022). Custody in marriage contract in terms of Islamic law. 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Marital satisfaction in individuals who remarry after divorce. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 532, 85–88. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210423.019 Xu, X., Hudspeth, C. D., & Bartkowski, J. P. (2006). The role of cohabitation in remarriage. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68(2), 261–274. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00251.x Yardley, L. (2000). Dilemmas in qualitative health research. Psychology and Health, 15(2), 215–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440008400302 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7186587","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":490410957,"identity":"79a9f316-a952-46f0-bc78-8a1183fae74b","order_by":0,"name":"Ali Güngör","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Hacettepe University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ali","middleName":"","lastName":"Güngör","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-07-22 11:38:24","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7186587/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7186587/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":95227165,"identity":"0bd117da-543e-448d-b312-daa4b60e6f08","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-05 16:32:11","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":792133,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7186587/v1/65e2e819-653c-42d3-a139-3bf024306b5c.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Remarriage After Divorce: Insights from the Turkish Context","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eMarriage has persisted throughout human history as a significant institution on both the individual and societal levels, functioning as one of the foundational elements of social structure through its legal and cultural dimensions (Gladding, 2015; Ministry of Family and Social Services [MoFSS], 2024). In many societies, this special union has been framed by religious teachings and moral norms, and legitimized by civil authorities to ensure societal order and stability (Aksoy, 2022; Giddens, 2012). However, factors such as modernization, urbanization, individualization, expanded access to education, and increased female participation in the workforce have led to substantial transformations in family structure (Cherlin, 1992; Duran, 2022; In-Depth Statistical Analysis of Family Structure in T\u0026uuml;rkiye, 2019). These transformations are evident not only in the nature of marriage itself, but also in its continuity and related dynamics, such as divorce, co-parenting, and remarriage (Coleman et al., 2000; McGoldrick \u0026amp; Carter, 2016).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith these societal changes, family institutions have taken new forms: single-parent families, non-marital partnerships, childless marriages, the shift from extended to nuclear families, and reconstituted families have become increasingly visible components of social life (Bramlett \u0026amp; Mosher, 2002; Gladding, 2015). This diversification is reflected in individual life choices and societal value systems in various ways (Giddens et al., 2018). With rising divorce rates, remarriage has become a prominent phenomenon in contemporary family structures (Beblo and Solaz 2020; Coleman et al. 2018).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDivorce and remarriage, once viewed as exceptions in traditional societies, are now more visible, prevalent, and socially accepted. Nevertheless, this increased visibility has not completely dismantled societal stigma; in collectivist cultures, divorce remains a phenomenon encircled by social prejudice (MoFSS, 2024; Giddens, 2012). This reality directly influences decision-making processes, psychosocial adjustment mechanisms, and social roles of individuals considering remarriage (Sumari et al., 2024). In such cultural contexts, remarriage is not merely a personal decision, but represents a multi-layered process shaped by the influence of extended families, kinship networks, and traditional norms (Coleman et al., 2000).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemarriage is not solely an individual choice, but also a reflection of the crises, transitions, and healing processes encountered in one\u0026rsquo;s life cycle. The nature of the previous marriage\u0026apos;s dissolution, whether by divorce or widowhood, shapes the emotional and psychological imprints left on the individual (\u0026Ccedil;obanoğlu \u0026amp; Tek, 2021; Giddens, 2012). In this regard, remarriage is not only about forming a new marital bond, but also relates directly to one\u0026rsquo;s self-concept, emotional well-being, parenting roles, and sense of social belonging (Asgari et al., 2021; McGoldrick \u0026amp; Carter, 2016). This highlights the importance of addressing remarriage both theoretically and practically within fields, such as psychological counseling, family therapy, and social work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe transformation of social structures is among the most decisive factors affecting the institution of marriage and the family (Giddens, 2012). For instance, in T\u0026uuml;rkiye, significant social changes, such as rapid urbanization since the 1980s, rising education levels, and increased female labor force participation have directly influenced individuals\u0026rsquo; tendencies toward marriage and divorce (MoFSS, 2024; In-Depth Statistical Analysis of Family Structure in T\u0026uuml;rkiye, 2019). According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT, 2025), there were 568,395 marriages and 187,343 divorces by 2024. While approximately 8% of individuals who were married in 2001 had been previously married, this figure rose to 15% by 2024 (TURKSTAT, 2025), indicating that remarriage has become a significant socio-demographic reality that can no longer be overlooked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany factors influence the decision to remarry, including one\u0026rsquo;s emotional experiences, societal expectations, economic conditions, the presence or absence of children, and the nature of the previous marriage (Brimhall \u0026amp; Chizk, 2019; Sweeney, 2010). Particularly after divorce, individuals tend to be more cautious and selective in making new marriage decisions; the lessons learned from the previous relationship can lead to more conscious partner choices (Dupont et al., 2021). This suggests that remarriage may also provide opportunities for personal development, emotional maturity, and improved relationship management skills (Li et al., 2023). However, these processes are often undertaken individually, and a lack of professional support and social guidance mechanisms can make the remarriage process more vulnerable (Gladding, 2015).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemarriage following divorce serves psychological, social, and economic functions (Coleman et al., 2000). Psychologically, it reduces loneliness, helps reconstruct social roles, and strengthens emotional support (Hetherington 2003; Kulik and Heine-Cohen 2011). Socially, it enables shared parenting and family cohesion, particularly among children (Li et al., 2023). Economically, remarriage provides renewed financial security, especially for women (Papernow, 2013). However, individuals who remarry face challenges distinct from first marriages and often more complex ones (\u0026Ccedil;obanoğlu \u0026amp; Tek, 2021). Issues such as children from previous marriages, stepparenting, contact with ex-spouses, and restructuring the family system require attention in remarriages (Greeff \u0026amp; Du Toit, 2009; Santos et al., 2020). These dynamics present challenges for marital adjustment. Research shows that divorce rates are higher for remarriages than first-time marriages. Copen et al. (2012) and Xu et al. (2006) reported that divorce rates in remarriages are 10% higher. In addition to these challenges, coping strategies and support mechanisms developed during the remarriage process are also of great importance. Individuals tend to act more rationally, responsibly, and communication-oriented in their new relationships (Kumar, 2017). These characteristics enhance marital harmony and strengthen relational commitment (G\u0026uuml;ven 2017). In particular, emotional support, shared goals, and healthy communication patterns play critical roles in sustaining relationships in remarriages (Diamond et al., 2017; Dainton, 2019).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRemarriage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe multilayered nature of remarriage necessitates a holistic approach that encompasses not only individual psychological transitions, but also family dynamics and interactions within the broader sociocultural context. Accordingly, the present study builds its theoretical foundation on Carter and McGoldrick\u0026rsquo;s (1999) \u003cem\u003eDevelopmental Model of Remarried Families\u003c/em\u003e and Bronfenbrenner and Morris\u0026rsquo;s (2006) \u003cem\u003eBioecological Theory of Human Development\u003c/em\u003e. Carter and McGoldrick\u0026rsquo;s model outlines the developmental stages extending from the emotional healing process following the termination of the first marriage to the adjustment required for establishing a new family structure. This model offers guidance particularly in areas such as the acknowledgment of losses, redefinition of roles and boundaries, expression of emotional needs, and reconstruction of relationships within the context of stepparenting.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the other hand, Bronfenbrenner\u0026rsquo;s theory situates the experience of remarriage within an ecological system. Starting from the microsystem (family relationships), it extends to the mesosystem (extended family and social networks), exosystem (social institutions and norms), and macrosystem (cultural values and gender roles). The chronosystem level addresses the impact of temporal transitions and life course changes. The integration of these two theoretical models contributes to a multidimensional understanding of remarriage experiences in collectivist cultural contexts, addressing both the individual and social dimensions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemarriage is increasingly common in contemporary societies but remains complex and underexplored. It should be examined in terms of psychological well-being, reconstruction of social roles, parent-child relationships, and interactions with social norms. Qualitative research on post-divorce remarriage, particularly in collectivist cultures, can facilitate an understanding of the process and support the development of responsive social policies. The current study aimed to explore the adaptation processes of individuals in T\u0026uuml;rkiye who remarried after divorce. For these individuals, remarriage represents a complex life experience shaped by traces of their past, current responsibilities, and future expectations. This study aimed to uncover how individuals adapt to new marital relationships after divorce, their coping strategies for challenges, and the psychosocial dynamics involved. The findings from the participants\u0026apos; life stories will offer insights into intrafamilial relationships, parenting roles, and gender norms. Documenting the remarriage experiences of men and women in collectivist societies such as T\u0026uuml;rkiye will contribute to the academic literature and inform policies for strengthening social work, family counseling, and community support systems.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResearch Design\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study is a qualitative inquiry conducted with the aim of deeply understanding the experiences of individuals who remarried after divorce in a collectivist society. Given the multilayered nature of remarriage and the unique experiences that individuals encounter throughout this process, a qualitative perspective was deemed necessary. This approach enables an in-depth exploration of participants’ narratives, contextual realities, and personal meaning-making processes (Bacon et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this context, \u003cem\u003eInterpretative Phenomenological Analysis\u003c/em\u003e (IPA) was adopted as the methodological framework. IPA is a qualitative research method that facilitates the exploration of how individuals make sense of particular life experiences, and aims to analyze subjective experiences in depth. This approach allows the researcher to interpret participants’ lived experiences from their perspectives while maintaining fidelity to their meaning-making framework (Smith \u0026amp; Osborn, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe phenomenological approach is widely recognized as an effective tool for investigating family relationships, personal reconstruction processes, and experiences shaped within social contexts. Therefore, when examining complex and highly individualized phenomena, such as remarriage, IPA offers both a theoretically grounded and methodologically sound foundation for inquiry (Smith et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticipants and Sampling\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn line with the principles of IPA, a purposive, small-scale sampling strategy was adopted in this study (Smith et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). In the initial phase, 21 individuals were contacted through calls made via social media platforms (WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook). These individuals were subjected to a preliminary evaluation based on the eligibility criteria determined by the researchers. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) having remarried after divorce; (2) being between the ages of 30 and 50; (3) having been born, raised, and currently residing in Turkey; and (4) having been in their remarriage for five years or less.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePreliminary interviews were conducted with applicants, resulting in the identification of six individuals who met all inclusion criteria. However, due to the initial gender imbalance—only one male participant—it became necessary to issue a second recruitment call to ensure gender diversity in the sample (Smith et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). Following the renewed recruitment process and additional interviews, two additional male participants were included in the study. Ultimately, the final sample consisted of eight participants: five women and three men.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePseudonyms were used during the data presentation process to protect participant confidentiality. The demographic characteristics of the participants are presented in Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n \u003ctable id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDemographic Features of Participants (n = 8).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParticipant ID\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEducation Level\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOccupation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNumber of Children from First Marriage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuration of Remarriage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUniversity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTeacher\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHigh School\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCashier\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 year\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHigh School\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExecutive Secretary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUniversity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNurse\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaster’s Degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLaboratory Technician\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMiddle School\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHousewife\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUniversity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAccountant\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUniversity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHuman Resources Specialist\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 year\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Collection Process\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the most effective methods for capturing the essence of participants’ experiences in phenomenological research is in-depth interviews (Merriam \u0026amp; Tisdell, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Prior to the interviews, informed consent was obtained from all participants. The interviews were audio-recorded and field notes were taken throughout the sessions to capture nonverbal cues, facial expressions, physical appearances, and the interview environment. All participants were informed of the purpose and scope of the study, the principles of confidentiality and anonymity, and their right to withdraw from the research at any point.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo ensure a systematic interview process, an interview protocol was developed and followed for all interviews. Based on Seidman’s (\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e) three-stage interview model, each participant was interviewed thrice. The first interview focused on demographic background and life history, the second explored the detailed aspects of their experiences, and the third encouraged a reflective evaluation of the meaning of these experiences.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn line with IPA, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted using open-ended questions. This approach allowed the participants to freely express their experiences. Interviews were conducted between September 2024 and February 2025, with each session lasting approximately 35–48 min. The data collection process was concluded when recurring themes emerged across the interviews, indicating that data saturation had been achieved. This level of saturation demonstrated that the collected data sufficiently captured the complexity and richness of the phenomena under investigation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterviews were conducted either face-to-face or online between the researcher and the participants. For in-person interviews, participants selected the interview location to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. Online interviews were conducted via Google Meet, scheduled for the participants’ convenience, and carried out in adherence to confidentiality principles. All the interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll interviews were conducted with eight remarried individuals (five women and three men) following divorce and were transcribed verbatim. The researcher engaged intensively with the data by rereading the transcripts multiple times to ensure a deep understanding and internalization of the participants' narratives (Merriam \u0026amp; Tisdell, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). The data analysis process followed a six-stage procedure to examine textual data: (1) reading and re-reading, (2) initial noting, (3) developing emergent codes and themes, (4) exploring connections across themes, (5) moving to the next case, and (6) identifying patterns across cases (Smith et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing the IPA steps proposed by Smith and Osborn (\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e), the researcher first made descriptive notes on the transcripts, identifying significant expressions, explanations, and emotional reactions to integrate with the data. These elements were coded as follows: The generated codes reflected more abstract researcher interpretations intended to capture the essence of participants’ experiences. Throughout the analysis, the researcher continually returned to the raw data to evaluate the extent to which interpretations aligned with the participants' meaning-making frameworks. The analysis explored both the “what” and “how” of participants’ accounts to uncover underlying layers of meaning.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNext, the codes were compared and their relationships were examined. They were organized into themes and subthemes. The emergent concepts from the data were structured to reflect both the participants’ voices and researcher’s interpretations. This procedure was repeated for each interview, and recurring themes were identified across the participants. To enhance the credibility of the findings, an external expert in the fields of divorce, family, and relationships participated as a blind coder. The blind coder discussed their preliminary findings with the primary researcher to review the process in terms of reflexivity and validity (Daly, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e; Smith \u0026amp; Osborn, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). Peer debriefing was also conducted with another field expert to minimize researcher subjectivity, especially in areas of disagreement (Nelson et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, member checking was performed by providing participants with summaries of their interviews to confirm data accuracy. To enhance the trustworthiness of the findings further, two additional field experts reviewed the interpreted data from a critical perspective. Finally, the researchers summarized the emergent themes and subthemes in Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, supported by direct quotations from the interviews (Yardley, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Findings","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe findings of this qualitative study reveal the lived experiences of divorced individuals who remarried in a collectivist culture, based on an IPA approach. The main themes and subthemes that emerged from the analysis are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;2. Direct quotations from the interview transcripts were included to support the interpretations and thematic structure.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThemes and sub-themes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTheme No\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMain Theme Title\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSub-themes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Process of Remarriage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDecision-Making and Motivations\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEmotions and Hesitations Before Remarriage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImpact of Past Experiences on New Marriage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePost-divorce recovery and self-rebuilding\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeeking social support and assistance\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRole of Faith and Acceptance\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSpousal Relationship Dynamics\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDivision of Roles and Responsibilities:\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eConstructing Communication and Trust\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePatience and Process of Adjustment\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRelationships with Former Spouses\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCo-Parenting and Children's adjustments\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSetting the Boundaries and Role of the New Spouse\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eManaging Conflicts:\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocial Judgments\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStigmatization and Prejudice\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFamily and community pressures\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocietal acceptance of rearries\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Process of Remarriage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis theme explored the process participants underwent when stepping into a new marriage following divorce, including the emotions, thoughts, and decision-making mechanisms involved in their remarriage journey.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDecision-Making and Motivations: Participants highlighted the motivations behind their decisions to remarry. Male participants perceived divorce as a \"failure\" in society's eyes and viewed remarriage as a way to re-establish normalcy. K7 (47 years old, male, father of one) expressed: \"After the divorce, I felt like a failure in the eyes of society. I thought remarrying would help restore order in my life.\" Female participants emphasized avoiding social stigma as a \"widowed woman\" and providing stability for their children. K4 (34 years old, female, mother of two) summarized: \"Raising children alone was very difficult. I decided to remarry so they could feel a father's love and so I wouldn't be labeled a 'widowed woman' by others.\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEmotions and Hesitations Before Remarriage: Participants described mixed emotions before deciding to remarry. Remarriage brought hope for a new beginning, but was shadowed by fears of past disappointments. K1 (38 years old, female, mother of one) shared: \"When I decided to remarry, I felt both great excitement and indescribable fear. I was thrilled about the possibility of happiness, but I couldn't sleep at night, worrying that I might face the same heartbreak again.\" K2 (40 years old, male, father of two) noted: \"My biggest concern before entering a second marriage was the possibility of repeating the mistakes I made in my first marriage.\" These reflections show the duality of hope and anxiety during decision-making.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe impact of past experiences on new marriages: Previous marital experiences influenced participants' approaches to second unions. The participants became more aware of past problems and took steps to avoid repeating the patterns. K8 (32 years old, female, mother of one) reflected: \"In my first marriage, my husband and I drifted apart because of poor communication and lack of mutual understanding. This time, I know how to address those gaps.\" Participants acknowledged being either too self-sacrificing or self-centered in first marriages and made efforts to find balance in their second. This indicates divorced individuals draw lessons from past relationships and approach remarriages with greater emotional maturity.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnother major theme, coping strategies, refers to the ways in which participants manage the challenges they encounter during the post-divorce and remarriage processes. This includes methods adopted to handle stress, emotional strain, and social pressure.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePost-Divorce Recovery and Rebuilding\u003c/em\u003e: Participants emphasized needing time and effort to overcome emotional difficulties after divorce. K6 (35 years old, female, mother of one) reflected: \u003cem\u003e\"The first year after divorce was extremely difficult for me. I felt helpless and heartbroken. But over time, I learned to value myself again and accepted that I had to move on with life.\"\u003c/em\u003e This reflects their process of rebuilding to adapt to major life transitions. Individuals described embarking on a healing journey to regain self-esteem and prepare for future relationships.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeking Social Support and Help\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants highlighted the importance of support during difficult times. Family and friends served as essential sources of emotional and practical support. K5 (42 years old, male, no children) stated, \u003cem\u003e\"I could not have made it through without my family and close friends. After the divorce, my mother moved in to help my children, and my friends checked me daily. Their support helped me hold on to life again.\"\u003c/em\u003e Some participants (K3, K8, and K7) sought professional assistance through therapy or counseling. The support received from others played a significant role in participants' psychological adjustment and ability to engage in remarriage with resilience.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Role of Faith and Acceptance\u003c/em\u003e: Participants drew strength from spiritual beliefs and acceptance to make sense of their experiences. Among female participants, concepts like \"destiny\" and \"blessings in disguise\" were referenced to reframe divorce as a potential new beginning. K1 (38 years old, female, mother of one) shared: \"\u003cem\u003eI started to believe that there's good in everything. When I saw my hardships as a test from God, my hope for finding happiness again grew stronger.\"\u003c/em\u003e Male participants (K2 and K7) emphasized accepting and letting go of the past. This illustrates how spiritual values and belief in fate provide emotional resilience and contribute to healing processes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpousal Relationship Dynamics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis theme encompasses interactions between remarried individuals and their new spouses, including marital roles, communication styles, and how experiences from prior marriages influence their current relationships. In remarriages, spousal dynamics often reflect both residual patterns from previous marriages and novelties introduced by a fresh start.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDivision of Roles and Responsibilities\u003c/em\u003e: Participants reported making conscious efforts in their second marriage to establish a more balanced distribution of responsibilities with spouses. Past experiences, particularly regarding domestic labor, financial management, and childcare, exposed previous imbalances. In response, remarried individuals aim for greater equity in role divisions. K5 (42 years old, male, no children) explained: \u003cem\u003e\"In my first marriage, household chores and childcare were all on my wife, and I was too absorbed in work. Now, my spouse and I share everything—we take turns picking up the kids, cooking, and other tasks.\"\u003c/em\u003e Female participants (K4, K6, and K8) noted they expected more support from new spouses and clarified needs through open communication. This sub-theme demonstrates that remarried couples who draw lessons from prior unions redefine marital roles more consciously and equitably.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBuilding Communication and Trust\u003c/em\u003e: Strong communication and mutual trust were described as foundational to second marriages' success. Participants shared that informed by first marriage experiences, they now express emotions openly, resolve conflicts through dialogue, and foster trust. K6 (35 years old, female, mother of one) emphasized: \u003cem\u003e\"There are no secrets between my new husband and me. Even with the least concern, I voiced it. Since poor communication caused many problems in my previous marriage, now we make sure to consult each other on everything.\"\u003c/em\u003e K2 (40 years old, male, father of two) reflected: \u003cem\u003e\"In this marriage, we have corrected past mistakes. We've promised to be transparent and never lie to each other.\"\u003c/em\u003e These narratives reveal that open communication and trust cultivation are critical to reinforcing remarried couples' emotional foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePatience and the Process of Adaptation\u003c/em\u003e: Participants underscored the necessity of mutual patience during the early stages of remarriage, as both partners bring personal histories, habits, and sensitivities into the new relationship. Many studies have described the importance of accommodating differences. K3 (46 years old, female, no children) stated: \u003cem\u003e\"Eventually, we accepted our differences and adapted to a shared rhythm.\"\u003c/em\u003e Male participants, K2 and K7, reported becoming more attuned to their wives' emotional triggers and past wounds. This sub-theme illustrates how remarried couples invest in each other's emotional worlds and gradually build a shared space through patience, adaptability, and mutual effort.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpousal Relationship Dynamics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis theme encompasses the interactions of remarried individuals with their new spouses, including their marital roles, communication patterns, and how experiences of previous marriages are reflected in their current relationships. Relationships formed in second marriages incorporate both the dynamics carried over from past unions and the distinct features of a new beginning.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDivision of Roles and Responsibilities\u003c/em\u003e: Participants stated that in second marriages, they made conscious efforts to establish balanced division of labor with their spouses. Experiences from first marriages revealed inequities in household chores, financial matters, and childcare. Thus, remarried individuals aim to create more equitable distribution of roles. K5 (42 years old, male, no children) reflected: \u003cem\u003e\"In my first marriage, household duties and child-rearing responsibilities fell entirely on my wife. I was too absorbed into my work. Now, my spouse and I share everything—from picking the kids up from school to cooking.\"\u003c/em\u003e Female participants (K4, K6, and K8) reported expecting more support from spouses in second marriages and communicated expectations openly. This indicates that remarried couples, drawing on past experiences, redefine marital roles with greater awareness.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConstructing Communication and Trust\u003c/em\u003e: The foundation of successful second marriages, according to participants, lies in strong communication and trust. Participants emphasized that they now express emotions openly, resolve problems through dialogue, and cultivate mutual confidence. K6 (35 years old, female, mother of one) stated, \u003cem\u003e\"There are no secrets between my new husband and me. Even the smallest concern that crosses my mind during the day, I share it openly. We consult each other about everything to avoid the communication breakdowns I experienced in my first marriage.\"\u003c/em\u003e K2 (40 years old, male, father of two) recalled issues of mistrust from his previous relationship: \u003cem\u003e\"In this marriage, we are correcting past mistakes. We promised to be open with each other and never lie.\"\u003c/em\u003e These examples show that open communication and trust building reinforce emotional stability in remarried couples.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePatience and the Process of Adjustment\u003c/em\u003e: Participants emphasized that spouses bring habits from previous lives into second marriages, requiring mutual patience and time for adjustment. In early months, couples adapted to differences in tolerance and flexibility. K3 (46 years old, female, no children) shared: \u003cem\u003e\"At first, I found some of my husband's habits strange, but I learned to be patient and to see things from his perspective. Over time, we accepted our differences and established a shared routine.\"\u003c/em\u003e Male participants K2 and K7 stated they had learned to be more mindful of sensitive issues from their partners' past. This shows that remarried couples make adjustments to harmonize with each other's emotional world, with patience being key to lasting relational harmony.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelationships with Former Spouses\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis theme explores how remarried individuals manage their relationships with their former spouses, particularly when children are involved, and how these relationships influence their current marriages.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCo-Parenting and Children's Adjustment\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants with children from previous marriages emphasized maintaining a healthy relationship between their children and biological parent after remarriage. While acknowledging difficulty, they continued efforts to ensure coparenting for their children's well-being. Parents stated they communicated with ex-spouses solely for their children and tried to make important decisions collaboratively. K4 (34 years old, female, mother of two) stated, \u003cem\u003e\"My relationship with my ex-husband is strictly limited to matters related to our children. If we need to make a decision, we will try to sit down and discuss it. It's very important for me that my children maintain a healthy bond with both parents, and I do my best to support that.\"\u003c/em\u003e Similarly, fathers (K5 and K7) mentioned that maintaining respectful interactions between their children and both parents contributed to the children's sense of safety and happiness. This sub-theme indicates that remarried parents are mindful of their children's transition and cooperate with ex-spouses for their children's psychological adjustment.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSetting Boundaries and the Role of the New Spouse\u003c/em\u003e: Participants emphasized establishing clear boundaries with former spouses to protect their new marriage. New spouses valued minimizing unnecessary interactions with ex-spouses. K7 (47 years old, male, father of one) summarized: \u003cem\u003e\"My ex-wife and I are no longer friends; we only communicate regarding our children. Out of respect for my new wife, we've drawn clear boundaries.\"\u003c/em\u003e However, some participants (K2, K4, and K6) were cautious in helping new partners adopt the role of stepmother or stepfather, acknowledging that former spouses sometimes complicate this process. This sub-theme shows that remarried individuals maintain appropriate distance and clarity of roles in their interactions with former spouses, prioritizing the emotional stability of both their children and their new partners.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eManaging Conflicts\u003c/em\u003e: Remarriage can lead to conflicts with former spouses. Post-divorce feelings like resentment or jealousy caused tension in new marriages, along with disagreements over child custody or parenting decisions. K8 (32 years old, female, mother of one) shared: \u003cem\u003e\"When my ex-husband heard I had remarried, he became very angry. At one point, he threatened to keep our child from me. We tried to stay calm and reason with him to ease the situation.\"\u003c/em\u003e Female participants (K3, K4, and K1) expressed discomfort regarding their ex-husbands' interference with their new marriages. They indicated they prioritized shielding their children from harm and considered seeking legal support when necessary. The participants highlighted their efforts to remain patient and composed in conflicts, focusing on preserving their children's emotional well-being. This sub-theme reveals that while tensions with former spouses persist, managing these conflicts involves a conciliatory attitude and firm boundaries when needed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocial Judgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe final main theme, social judgments, explored the attitudes and societal prejudices faced by participants as individuals who had experienced both divorce and remarriage.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eStigmatization and Prejudice\u003c/em\u003e: Some participants (K3 and K4) reported feeling the weight of social stigma, particularly related to the “divorced” or “widowed” label, after their marriages ended. In particular, female participants expressed concern about the negative image that accompanied them being divorced, especially in their neighborhoods or workplaces. For example, K1 (38 years old, female, mother of one) stated: \u003cem\u003e“After my neighbors learned that I was divorced, some of them started looking at me differently—as if I were a threat to married women. They kept their distance.”\u003c/em\u003e Male participants also noted that they were sometimes subjected to remarks such as \u003cem\u003e“Why did you destroy your family?”\u003c/em\u003e but acknowledged that social pressure on women was more intense. This sub-theme highlights how divorced and remarried individuals are often subjected to various forms of labeling and stereotyping in society.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFamily and Community Pressure\u003c/em\u003e: Participants also described pressure from their immediate family members and social circles regarding remarriage. Families are often eager to see their divorced sons remarry quickly or are concerned about leaving their divorced daughters alone. K2 (40 years old, male, father of two) shared: \u003cem\u003e“My family did not want me to be alone. My mother kept saying, ‘Don’t be dependent on anyone—we’ll find you a suitable wife.’”\u003c/em\u003eSimilarly, some female participants reported being encouraged or even pressured by their families or neighbors to remarry, hearing phrases like, \u003cem\u003e“Don’t remain single—you need a husband to protect you.”\u003c/em\u003e This sub-theme illustrates how divorced individuals often encounter familial expectations and interventions about remarriage, regardless of their personal readiness or preference.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocietal Acceptance of Remarriage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants also reflected on how societal attitudes toward remarriage evolved over time. K7 (47 years old, male, father of one) stated, \u003cem\u003e“At the beginning of my second marriage, people around me were skeptical. Some relatives were judgmental because my new wife was divorced. But as they saw how happy we were, they eventually accepted us.”\u003c/em\u003e Many participants echoed this sentiment, noting that as they demonstrated happiness and stability, those around them became more supportive. This sub-theme suggests that, while society may initially approach remarriage with skepticism, positive lived experiences and visible family harmony can contribute to increasing acceptance over time.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis section presents a comparative analysis of the study\u0026rsquo;s findings regarding remarriage experiences in the Turkish context, drawing on both national and international literature. The qualitative themes identified through participant narratives were interpreted in relation to existing empirical studies, with attention to both convergence and divergence. Each theme is examined through a culturally sensitive lens, recognizing the unique sociocultural dynamics that shape remarriage in Turkey. By situating these findings within broader theoretical and empirical frameworks, this discussion aims to deepen our understanding of how individuals navigate post-divorce marital transitions in a context marked by traditional family expectations and evolving societal norms.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRemarriage Process\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe findings indicate that remarriage after divorce involves complex phases of emotional recovery, decision-making, and adjustment. Participants emphasized the need for mental and emotional preparation to adapt to challenges after their first marriage dissolution. This observation aligns with Ayadi et al.'s (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) qualitative study in Iran, which highlights the need for emotional and cognitive readiness before remarriage. The authors noted that entering a second marriage without such readiness may exacerbate unresolved trauma from the first union. Similarly, Sumari et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), studying remarried women in Malaysia, reported that participants experienced emotional turbulence, acceptance of reality, and ambivalence before committing to a new marriage. These findings are consistent with those of our Turkish sample, particularly regarding hesitation and emotional oscillations before remarrying.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA salient dimension of the remarriage process is individuals\u0026rsquo; motivation and expectations. Participants in this study associated remarriage with coping with loneliness, finding emotional support, and establishing a \u0026ldquo;complete\u0026rdquo; family structure for their children. This finding is consistent with existing literature, which describes remarriage as a potential coping strategy that enhances post-divorce adjustment (Ayadi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Hetherington, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e; Tran et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). For instance, a study conducted in China found that remarried older adults reported fewer symptoms of depression, with the effect particularly significant among men (Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Conversely, similar mental health benefits were not observed among women, suggesting that the advantages of remarriage may vary by gender. This gendered disparity makes a unique contribution to the literature, underscoring the need for more nuanced interpretations of remarriage outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn recent years, societal attitudes toward remarriage in Turkey have undergone significant change. In their large-scale sociological review, \u0026Ccedil;obanoğlu and Tek (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) found that the remarriage rates for both men and women increased markedly after the early 2000s. Between 2001 and 2019, the remarriage rate among divorced women increased by 84%, while that for men increased by 72%. These statistics suggest that traditional social barriers to remarriage have diminished and that second marriages are becoming more culturally accepted. However, despite these broader shifts, the decision to remarry women remains a complex process. Female participants in this study reported prolonged hesitation shaped by social judgments and a desire to prioritize the well-being of their children. This reflects findings from previous studies that women face greater social scrutiny and internal conflict than men when considering remarriage (Asgari et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Ayadi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Dupont et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, the remarriage process involves multidimensional adaptation, encompassing both psychological and cultural factors. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of internalizing lessons learned from divorce experiences and undertaking the necessary emotional preparation. In this context, this study contributes to the literature by highlighting the need for preventive counseling and psychoeducational interventions tailored to individuals.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoping Strategies in the Remarriage Process\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCoping strategies during remarriage are crucial for relationship satisfaction and marital continuity. The findings indicate that remarried individuals adopt various approaches to managing emotional, social, and relational stressors. Participants reported seeking support from family networks, friends, or individuals with similar experiences. This support served as a buffer against emotional difficulties of adapting to remarried life. This observation is supported by McKenry and Price (1991), who identified family and peer support, as well as a new romantic partner as essential resources for post-divorce adjustment. However, not all participants sought or received such support. A study in Iran found that remarried individuals tended to distance themselves from former social circles due to fear of judgment (Ayadi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly, in our study, some female participants expressed reluctance to share emotional struggles due to the social stigma of being labeled a \"divorced woman\" or \"widow\" (K3, K4). This pattern reflects an avoidant coping style marked by distress internalization and withdrawal from social interaction, which has been documented in collectivist societies (Sumari et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants developed adaptive coping mechanisms. Improved communication and problem-solving skills were key in resolving conflicts during second marriage. These findings align with Ayadi et al.'s (2025) meta-synthesis, emphasizing pre-remarital education programs focusing on emotional healing, expectations, and interpersonal skills. Participants sought therapy to address trust issues from their first marriage, an approach endorsed for remarriage (McGoldrick \u0026amp; Carter, 2016; Hetherington, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e). Gender and cultural dynamics shape coping preferences. Male participants relied on new spouses, while female participants drew on friendships and family support. These differences echo findings that men experience greater psychosocial gains from remarriage than women (Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). In Japan, remarried mothers reported lower well-being than women in intact marriages (Raymo et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), highlighting emotional labor in new marital bonds. The coping strategies aligned with international literature. Approaches like social support, communication, counseling, and patience were identified as pivotal in managing remarriage challenges. As emphasized by McGoldrick and Carter (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e), successful remarriage requires multidimensional adjustment, integrating psychological resources and support systems. Our findings reaffirm this view, showing the importance of resilience and support networks in fostering stable second marriages.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital Relationship Dynamics in Remarriage\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarital dynamics in remarriages differ from those in first marriages. Participants reported that communication, trust, role distribution, and conflict resolution in second marriages differed from previous marriages. Several participants indicated that negative experiences in first marriages made them more cautious and communicative in new relationships. Individuals who struggled with open communication made efforts to express feelings and address issues directly during remarriage. Despite these efforts, some participants noted increased tension during second marriage. This aligns with findings by Dupont et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), Santos et al. (2021), and Tran et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), who observed that remarried couples may experience greater relational strain than first marriages. Similarly, Bramlett and Mosher (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002\u003c/span\u003e) found that remarried individuals more likely report feelings of undervaluation, avoidance of conflict, and difficulties establishing intimacy. Participants who ended first marriages in distressing ways expressed that minor conflicts in second marriages triggered anxiety and fear of relationship failure. This is consistent with Russell's (2019) findings, which suggest that first marriage failure may undermine self-efficacy, causing small disputes to be perceived as major stressors in remarriages.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA key factor complicating remarriage is incompatible conflict-management strategies. Participants noted that they and new spouses struggled during disagreements due to habits from previous marriages. One participant remarked, \"During our first argument, my husband shut down completely. He used to do that with his ex\u0026mdash;just to avoid everything. I try to talk things through, so we clashed a lot in the beginning.\" Such accounts support Widiastuti's (2021) assertion that mismatched conflict styles are common in remarriage. According to Copen et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e), divorce risk is 10% higher in second marriages due to unresolved conflicts and ineffective coping. Our findings suggest couples carry defensive behaviors into remarriage, causing difficulties. However, participants who received premarital counseling or had greater awareness of relational dynamics reported more success overcoming these challenges, validating the importance of preparation, as emphasized in the literature. Sexual adjustment and intimacy can pose challenges to remarriage. While briefly mentioned in our study, some older participants expressed discomfort establishing intimacy with their new partner after years with their previous spouse. Studies indicate that physical closeness follows emotional intimacy, suggesting sexual compatibility issues in remarriage may be transient. Similar findings were reported by Ayadi et al. (2025), who noted that intimacy often improves with time and communication.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinancial stress affects remarriage dynamics. Participants noted that obligations from previous marriages, including alimony, child support, debt, and income disparities, caused conflicts. These findings align with studies showing financial stress reduces marital satisfaction (Crapo et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Van Dijk and Kok \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Couples with financial tension experienced communication breakdowns. Those managing finances jointly strengthened relationships, supporting Ayadi et al.'s (2025) conclusion that transparency protects remarriages. Our findings suggest remarriages are complex yet fulfilling when nurtured. First marriages offer risk factors and learning opportunities. Literature emphasizes remarried couples must renegotiate roles and set boundaries for restructured families. Participants learned to redefine roles as partners and stepparents through dialogue. Though challenging for some, others balanced through respect and equality. Sumari et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) found Muslim women in Malaysia also restructured roles in remarriage, initially difficult but leading to satisfaction. Despite cultural differences, findings show communication, trust, conflict resolution, and role alignment are central to healthy marriages. When cultivated, remarried couples build resilient partnerships.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRelationships with Ex-Spouses and Children\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the most critical dimensions of remarriage involves individuals\u0026rsquo; ongoing relationships with their ex-spouses and, where applicable, the status of their children from previous marriages. In the present study, participants reported experiencing various difficulties in this regard but also adopted different strategies to cope with them. Particularly for individuals with children from their first marriage, maintaining parental roles and supporting their children\u0026rsquo;s adjustment were central concerns within the remarriage process. Similarly, the literature highlights that one of the greatest challenges for stepfamilies is children's adaptation and conflict between marital and parental roles. In this context, Ayadi et al. (2025) identified \u0026ldquo;parenting-marriage role conflict\u0026rdquo; and multiple tensions caused by children\u0026rsquo;s presence as core categories in remarriage dynamics. The experiences of our participants align with this finding: many reported that their relationships with their new spouses were frequently tested due to child-related issues and that parenting responsibilities often created tension within the marriage.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelationships with ex-spouses affect remarriages. Some participants maintained contact with former spouses for co-parenting, causing problems in the new marriage. For those with high-conflict relationships with ex-partners, tension transfers into remarriages. Research cites disputes with ex-spouses as a major source of stress in remarried couples. Crapo et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) emphasized that challenges from former spouses and child-related responsibilities make remarriages more fragile than first marriages. Participants with disputes over child support, custody, and visitation reported their new spouses reacted negatively. One female participant stated, \"Every time I talk to my ex, it turns into a scene. My husband gets jealous or angry, and I'm caught in the middle,\" highlighting the stress of being emotionally \"in-between.\" This shows the importance of boundaries: maintaining limited, respectful, child-focused communication with the ex-spouse is crucial for trust in the new relationship.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStep-parenting plays a pivotal role in shaping spouse-child relationships during remarriages. Participants emphasized that this role develops over time and requires patience. Stepparents expressed concerns about being misunderstood\u0026mdash;either perceived as \"trying to replace\" the biological parent when showing affection, or \"emotionally distant\" when maintaining space. Similar hesitations have been documented in Iranian studies (Asgari et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Ayadi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), where stepparents, especially those without biological children, reported indecision about their role. Our findings indicate this process involves trial-and-error. The participants noted that establishing trust and open communication helped ease the transition. For instance, one stepfather described building a friendly connection with his stepson, and only assumed a fatherly role after trust had been established.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn summary, the findings of our study demonstrate that mandatory ongoing contact with ex-spouses and the adaptation of children to new family structures pose major challenges in remarriage. The literature emphasizes the importance of spousal collaboration, open communication, boundary setting, and, when possible, co-parenting strategies focused on the well-being of the child (Sumari et al., 2016; Sumari et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Our participants similarly reported that, although these matters were often challenging, efforts to act in unison with their new spouses concerning children and ex-spouses contributed to marital cohesion. In contrast, couples who failed to reach consensus on these issues reported a deepening conflict. Thus, restructuring family roles in remarriages and establishing an acceptable balance for all parties (spouses, children, and former spouses) is considered critical. Both our findings and international research indicate that this balance can be developed over time through open communication, clear boundaries, empathy and, in some cases, professional support.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSocial Judgments\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocial judgments regarding the phenomenon of remarriage profoundly impact individual experiences. In our study, female participants reported that stigmatizing attitudes and judgments from society during divorce and remarriage adversely affected their mental health. In the traditional structure of Turkish society, especially in rural areas, divorced women are often labeled as \u0026ldquo;widows,\u0026rdquo; a term frequently carrying negative connotations. One of our participants shared that after her first marriage ended, she received warnings from those around her such as \u0026ldquo;You are a widow now, you need to be more careful,\u0026rdquo; making her feel as if her social value had diminished. These findings indicate the presence of social stigmatization in Turkey; divorced women are often perceived as a threat by their married peers and may experience social exclusion or mistreatment. One female participant sorrowfully recounted how after her divorce, her neighbors stopped inviting her to home visits and attempted to keep their husbands away from her. This situation aligns with findings in the literature, which note that divorced women are stigmatized as \u0026ldquo;homewreckers\u0026rdquo; or \u0026ldquo;a threat to family unity\u0026rdquo; (Parker et al., 2016).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eViewing social judgments through a gendered lens reveals double standards. Male participants noted milder societal reactions to divorces than women, with remarriage seen as \"normal\" under \"he's a man, of course he'll remarry.\" Female participants reported intense societal pressure and restrictions post-divorce. These findings align with Berktay (2012), who argues patriarchal societies position divorced women as \"the other\" and blame them. A study in Turkey found harassment of divorced women was more common than for men (Demirci, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Our study revealed similar accounts: a female participant shared that a male manager made immoral advances, implying \"you're on your own now.\" Such incidents highlight problematic roles society assigns divorced women. For some, remarriage is seen as escape from stigma. Participants said the \"widow\" label vanished after remarriage, gaining respect. One participant stated, \"In people's eyes, I became 'normal' again.\" This was also seen in Lee's (2018) study in Germany, which linked higher life satisfaction among remarried individuals to societal reacceptance. Literature shows remarriage can repair the perception of \"failure\" from divorce and enhance psychological wellbeing (Brimhall \u0026amp; Chizk, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Kulik \u0026amp; Heine-Cohen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; McGoldrick \u0026amp; Carter, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Our results align with these findings.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCultural and religious values shape social judgment. In Islamic culture, divorce and remarriage are considered legitimate, and individuals who have separated or lost spouses are encouraged to remarry. Although these practices are religiously sanctioned, cultural norms often disapprove of divorce and remarriage, particularly for women. Some participants reported family elders warning them, \"Don't destroy your home; second marriages don't bring peace.\" These remarks stem from the idealization of lifelong marriage and perception of divorce as social shame. However, this perspective has begun to shift in response to rising divorce rates. The increase in remarriage rates among widowed and divorced individuals in Turkey between 2001 and 2019 indicates society's growing acceptance of remarriages. According to \u0026Ccedil;obanoğlu and Tek (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), women's empowerment in education, economics, and cultural awareness has contributed to this shift. As women become self-sufficient, they gain courage to end unsatisfying marriages and resist societal pressure when choosing to remarry.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocial judgments shape remarriage experiences in multiple ways. Divorced and remarried individuals strive to normalize their lives while facing stigma. The softening of societal attitudes and growing awareness of divorce help diminish these judgments. As Lee (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e) notes, sustainable happiness in remarried individuals depends on their reintegration into society and reduced stigma. Some participants stated that remarriage's greatest benefit was \"being accepted again by society.\" The normalization of attitudes toward divorced individuals contributes to psychosocial well-being. Given divorce's prevalence, a cultural shift in social attitudes is essential for healthy remarriages. In a society where marriage and divorce hold significant cultural weight, supporting the family institution requires easing the path to remarriage. Studies in Turkey and other cultures suggest this transformation is underway, though achieving positive societal outlook requires time, education, and media support.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe findings align with national and international literature. Remarriage is complex, involving psychological, social, economic, and cultural dimensions. While challenges and coping strategies contain universal themes, they are shaped by cultural contexts. Research shows remarriage involves internal and external challenges. Internal factors include trauma from first marriage and emotional/financial issues, while external factors include societal reactions, child-rearing, and relationships with former spouses. Our findings confirm these dynamics. Remarried individuals face emotional healing while integrating children and past attachments into new family structures. Those who succeed may show post-traumatic growth and achieve satisfaction in second marriages. Our findings suggest remarriage can positively affect both men and women, varying by gender, children, and other factors. Women experience remarriage under societal scrutiny, leading to cautious adjustment. Men often remarry quickly due to emotional and practical needs but face challenges managing new family structures, typically from unresolved previous relationship issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLimitations\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis qualitative study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of individuals who remarried after a divorce. Although it provides context-rich and insightful findings, it also has certain limitations that should be acknowledged.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe participant profile showed limited diversity in socioeconomic background. Most participants were high school graduates from urban areas. This poses a constraint in representing remarriage experiences of individuals in rural regions or those with lower education. Second, although gender distribution was balanced, the study did not analyze how societal gender roles influenced participants' remarriage experiences. Since men and women may ascribe different meanings to remarriage and respond differently to social expectations, future studies with larger samples should conduct comparative analyses based on sex. Third, data collected were based on participants' self-reports. The shared experiences may have been shaped by memory and current relational dynamics, raising the possibility of idealization or distortion due to emotional intensity. Similar limitations have been noted in previous research (Azadeh \u0026amp; Barati, 2023; Liu et al., 2021), highlighting the importance of interpreting subjective narratives within context. Fourth, this study focused solely on remarried individuals. Perspectives of those remaining single after divorce were not included. The decision not to remarry is often influenced by life circumstances, personal values, and marital experiences. Future research should consider perceptions of individuals who choose alternative paths after divorce. Finally, although three interviews were conducted with each participant, all data were collected during a single phase, limiting assessment of how remarriage dynamics evolve over time. Marital relationships are dynamic and multidimensional, often undergoing significant changes. Future research could benefit from longitudinal qualitative designs to track individuals' remarriage journeys across stages and gain insight into temporal shifts in relational processes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecommendations for Future Research and Practice\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe process of remarriage following divorce is not merely the formation of a new romantic partnership between two individuals; it also involves the reconstruction of family structure and the redefinition of roles and relationships. The challenges experienced throughout this process can significantly impact individuals\u0026rsquo; psychosocial adjustment capacity, couple interaction skills, and attitudes towards their social environment. When evaluated alongside the present findings and existing literature, a clear need emerges for both preventive and supportive intervention programs tailored to remarried individuals and families.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst, cognitive and emotional preparation for remarriage among divorced individuals should be supported, particularly addressing emotional healing, unresolved attachment issues, and personal insight. A specialized premarital counseling protocol tailored to previously divorced individuals is recommended. Second, addressing unresolved conflicts from prior marriages is crucial to prevent their recurrence. Structured counseling sessions should equip individuals with essential life skills such as conflict resolution, empathy development, self-awareness, and effective communication for relational stability. The third recommendation involves addressing unrealistic expectations and cognitive distortions related to remarriage. Individuals entering a second marriage may carry negative beliefs shaped by past experiences, affecting new relational dynamics. Therefore, premarital counseling should incorporate cognitive restructuring techniques to help individuals identify and reframe maladaptive thinking patterns, fostering healthier relational expectations. Finally, enhancing public awareness of divorce and remarriage, reducing societal stigma, and strengthening social support networks are vital. Culturally sensitive public information campaigns can contribute to a more supportive environment for individuals undergoing life transition. With increased awareness and inclusion, remarried families can provide a functional, stable environment for adults and children.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would like to express our sincere gratitude to the participants who generously devoted their time to contribute to this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Approval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of xxxx University. To comply with the committee’s standards, the author prepared informed consent forms and provided the participants with detailed information regarding the research process and its objectives. All participants read and signed informed consent forms before participation. All procedures involving human participants were carried out in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research received no specific grants from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of Interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı [Ministry of Family and Social Services]. 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The role of cohabitation in remarriage. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68(2), 261\u0026ndash;274. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00251.x\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYardley, L. (2000). Dilemmas in qualitative health research. Psychology and Health, 15(2), 215\u0026ndash;228. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440008400302\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Remarriage, Divorce, Stepparenting, Family counseling, Collectivist culture","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7186587/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7186587/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis qualitative study delved into the adjustment experiences of individuals who remarried following divorce. Within the collectivist cultural context of T\u0026uuml;rkiye, the research involved in-depth interviews were conducted with eight participants aged 30 to 50 years, all of whom had been remarried for less than five years. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, which identified five main themes: emotional and psychological readiness for remarriage, dynamics within the spousal relationship, interactions with ex-spouses and children, coping with social judgment and pressure, and support mechanisms. The findings indicated that past marital experiences significantly shaped expectations and attitudes toward new relationships. Stepparenting and sociocultural norms have emerged as key factors influencing marital adjustment. This study is anchored in Carter and McGoldrick\u0026rsquo;s Remarried Family Model and Bronfenbrenner\u0026rsquo;s Bioecological Theory to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding how remarried individuals navigate their relationships within complex emotional, social, and cultural systems. These insights are valuable for family counseling practices and policy development, especially in societies in which remarriage remains culturally sensitive and understudied.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Remarriage After Divorce: Insights from the Turkish Context","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-07-25 17:32:33","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7186587/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"cbc5724a-c065-4199-b3c2-3f14b83a6f5d","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 25th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-05T09:24:00+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-07-25 17:32:33","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7186587","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7186587","identity":"rs-7186587","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}