Research article    |    Open Access
Turkish Journal of Teacher Education 2025, Vol. 14(2) 81-101

The Impact of Professional Dynamics and Social Factors on Teachers’ Divorce Rates

Osman Yıldırım

pp. 81 - 101

Publish Date: December 30, 2025  |   Single/Total View: 0/0   |   Single/Total Download: 0/0


Abstract

Within the framework of 2025 being designated as the “Year of the Family,” this study aims to investigate the challenges teachers face in their marital lives and how these challenges are reflected in divorce rates. The research adopts a holistic perspective to examine the professional dynamics and social factors that influence the phenomenon of divorce among teachers. A review of the existing literature reveals a lack of comprehensive analyses concerning teachers, who hold a central role in shaping social structures, and, consequently, a limited availability of statistical data. To address this gap and to capture teachers’ perspectives in depth, a survey was administered to 1,021 teachers across Türkiye. The data were analyzed using the correlational survey model within the framework of quantitative research methodology. Findings indicate that 20% of the sample teachers were divorced, while among married teachers 69,7% were married to another teacher and 30,3% were married to a spouse from a different profession. The research findings indicate that communication problems are the most significant cause of divorce, accounting for % 35.1% in teacher–teacher marriages and % 36.2% in teacher–non-teacher marriages. The results demonstrate that the factors influencing teachers’ marital relationships are multidimensional. Accordingly, the study emphasizes the need to develop comprehensive social, professional, and policy-based support mechanisms to strengthen the institution of the family.

Keywords: Year of the Family, Divorce Rate Among Teachers, Professional Dynamics.


How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
Yildirim, O. (2025). The Impact of Professional Dynamics and Social Factors on Teachers’ Divorce Rates. Turkish Journal of Teacher Education, 14(2), 81-101.

Harvard
Yildirim, O. (2025). The Impact of Professional Dynamics and Social Factors on Teachers’ Divorce Rates. Turkish Journal of Teacher Education, 14(2), pp. 81-101.

Chicago 16th edition
Yildirim, Osman (2025). "The Impact of Professional Dynamics and Social Factors on Teachers’ Divorce Rates". Turkish Journal of Teacher Education 14 (2):81-101.

References

    Alparslan, N. (2016). The level of self–esteem and school commitment of adolescents with divorced and non-divorced parents (Thesis No. 453055) [Master’s thesis: Istanbul University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Altuntaş, G. (2012). Comparison of continual anger, ways of anger expression, self-respect and anxiety levels by first, second and third class high school children of divorced and undivorced parents (Thesis No. 326156) [Master’s thesis: Maltepe University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Amato, P. R. (2000). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62, 1269–1287. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.01269

    Amato, P. R. (2010). Research on divorce: Continuing trends and new developments. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 650–666.

    Amato, P. R. (2014). The consequences of divorce for adults and children: An update. Drustvena istrazivanja – Journal for General Social Issues, 23(01), 5–24. https://doi.org/10.5559/di.23.1.01

    Amato, P. R., & Cheadle, J. (2005). The long reach of divorce: Divorce and child well-being across three generations. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(1), 191–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-2445.2005.00014

    Amato, P. R., & Previti, D. (2003). People’s reasons for divorcing: Gender, social class, the life course, and adjustment. Journal of Family Issues, 24(5), 602–626.

    Arslan, M. (2017). The impact of economic problems on marital satisfaction. Journal of Family and Society, 12(3), 45–62.

    Atabey, D. (2017). School–father relationship in early childhood according to some variables. International Journal of Social Research, 10(52), 721–729. https://doi.org/10.17719/jisr.2017.1930

    Aydın, F. (2020). Extended family intervention and marital adjustment. Journal of Social Psychology, 8(2), 99–114.

    Aydın, O., & Baran, G. (2012). Examination of children aged 9–12 years with parents undergoing divorce in terms of adaptation to divorce. Ankara Journal of Health Sciences, 1(1), 35–52. https://doi.org/10.1501/Asbd_0000000004

    Aydoğan, İ., & Altunbulak, C. (2015). Academic achievement and school problems of students from divorced and intact families in upper primary education. Kırıkkale University Journal of Social Sciences, 5(2), 75–102.

    Ayraç, A. (2025). Employee psychology and performance relationship. Ankara: Akademi Publishing.

    Babalis, T., Tsoli, K., Nikolopoulos, V., & Maniatis, P. (2014). The effect of divorce on school performance and behavior in preschool children in Greece: An empirical study of teachers’ views. Psychology, 5(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2014.51005

    Bankir İşler, Y. (2023). Meeting the basic psychological needs of agents with diverse and non-divorced family, investigation of the problem solving skills in cooperation and romantic relationships (Thesis No. 839196) (Master’s thesis: Hasan Kalyoncu University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Bernardi, F., & Boertien, D. (2017). Non-intact families and diverging educational destinies: A decomposition analysis for Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. Social Science Research, 63, 181–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.09.004

    Bilici, A. B. (2018). Psycho-social effects of divorce on middle school children during the process of meaning-making (Fevzi Çakmak Middle School case). International Journal of Social Research, 11(56), 257–269. https://doi.org/10.17719/jisr.20185638998

    Carroll, J. (2013). First, the children (A. Birkan, Trans.). Istanbul: Doğan Kitap.

    Çelik, R. (2022). The effect of economic conditions on divorce processes. Journal of Educational and Social Science Research, 14(1), 101–118.

    Çelik, S., & Karakuş, S. (2020). The effect of age and service duration on marital satisfaction: A literature review. Journal of Marriage and Family Studies, 12(3), 45–63.

    Cherlin, A. J. (1999). Going to extremes: Family structure, children’s well-being, and social science. Demography, 36, 421–428. https://doi.org/10.2307/2648081

    Cherlin, A. J. (2009). The marriage-go-round: The state of marriage and the family in America today. New York, NY: Knopf.

    Cherlin, A. J., Chase-Lansdale, P. L., & McRae, C. (1998). Effects of divorce on mental health throughout the life course. American Sociological Review, 63, 239–249. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2657325

    Demir, A., & Kaya, B. (2019). The effect of professional stress and burnout on marital satisfaction. Journal of Human and Social Research, 15(2), 123–135.

    Demir-Dağdaş, T., Isik-Ercan, Z., Intepe-Tingir, S., & Cava-Tadik, Y. (2018). Parental divorce and children from diverse backgrounds: Multidisciplinary perspectives on mental health, parent–child relationships, and educational experiences. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 59(6), 469–485. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2017.1403821

    Dew, J. (2009). Does it matter if parents are happy? Marital quality and children’s outcomes. Journal of Family Issues, 30(1), 33–56.

    Geniş, M., Toker, B., & Şakiroğlu, M. (2019). The effects of divorce on children, disclosure to children, and parental alienation: A review study. Adnan Menderes University Journal of Health Sciences, 3(3), 190–199.

    Günen, H., & Poyraz, T. (2017). Reasons for arranged and traditional marriages in Mardin and the decision-making process for marriage. Hacettepe University Journal of Turkic Studies, 26, 187–222.

    Haine, R. A., Sandler, I. N., Wolchik, S. A., Tein, J.-Y., & Dawson-McClure, S. R. (2003). Changing the legacy of divorce: Evidence from prevention programs and future directions. Family Relations, 52, 397–405. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2003.00397

    Hetherington, E. M. (2006). The influence of conflict, marital problem solving and parenting on children’s adjustment in nondivorced, divorced, and remarried families. In Families count: Effects on Child and Adolescent Development (pp. 203–237). https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511616259.010

    Jarwan, A. S., & Al-frehat, B. M. (2020). Emotional divorce and its relationship with psychological hardiness. International Journal of Education and Practice, 8(1), 72–85. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.61.2020.81.72.85

    Kabaoğlu, F. (2011). The children and adolescents whose parents are either married or in a state of divorce, and the study aims to analyze the relationship between acceptance-rejection the target group percieve from their parents and their personality traits (Thesis No. 296630) [Master’s thesis: Maltepe University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Kalkan, M. (2019). The relationship between communication skills and marital adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology Research, 7(1), 55–73.

    Kalmijn, M., & Monden, C. (2006). Are the negative effects of divorce on well-being dependent on marital quality? Journal of Marriage and Family, 68(1), 1197–1213. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00323

    Karaca, Z. (2020). Fidelity issues and marital satisfaction. Journal of Psychology Studies, 40(2), 211–229.

    Karakuş, S. (2003). The research abouth the depression levels of children who have divorced and undivorced parents and its effect to their school achievement (Thesis No. 128156) [Master’s thesis: Dokuz Eylül University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Karasar, N. (2019). Scientific research method: Concepts, principles, and techniques (36th ed.). Nobel Publishing.

    Karataş, H. (2018). Communication problems and divorce in marriage. Turkish Journal of Psychology, 33(82), 71–88.

    Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (1995). The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: A review of theory, method, and research. Psychological Bulletin, 118(1), 3–34.

    Kasuto, M. (2017). The assessment of self-esteem and mental health variables of the parental divorce children in comparison to the non- parental divorce children (Thesis No. 475939) [Master’s thesis: Işık University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Kaya, B. (2018). Intensive work pace and family relationships. Journal of Psychological Counseling, 26(3), 145–160.

    Kelly, J. B., & Emery, R. (2003). Children’s adjustment following divorce: Risk and resilience perspectives. Family Relations, 52, 352–362. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2003.00352

    Kılıçarslan, S., & Şahan, H. (2021). Investigation of preschool teachers’ attitudes towards the use of technological tools in education: A mixed methods study. International Journal of Educational Sciences and Social Research, 7(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4567890

    Korkmaz, Y. (2023). Psychosocial effects of divorce on students from the perspective of guidance counselors. The Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Research, 7(14), 12-22. https://doi.org/10.57135/jier.1225937

    Kurdek, L. A. (1999). The nature and predictors of the trajectory of change in marital quality for husbands and wives over the first 10 years of marriage. Developmental Psychology, 35(5), 1283–1296.

    Lebow, J. L. (2020). The challenges of COVID‐19 for divorcing and post-divorce families. Family Process, 59(3), 967–973. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12574

    Mahrer, N. E., O’Hara, K. L., Sandler, I. N., & Wolchik, S. A. (2018). Does shared parenting help or hurt children in high-conflict divorced families? Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 59(4), 324–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2018.1454200

    Martin, M. A. (2012). Family structure and the intergenerational transmission of educational advantage. Social Science Research, 41(1), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2011.07.005

    Ministry of Family and Social Services, Republic of Turkey. (2025). Vision document and action plan for the protection and strengthening of the family 2024–2028 (p. 8). https://aileyili.gov.tr/media/v1qmnwd4/ailenin-korunmasi-ve-gu-c-lendirilmesi-vizyon-belgesi-ve-eylem-plani.pdf

    O’Connor, T. G., Thorpe, K., Dunn, J., & Golding, J. (1999). Parental divorce and adjustment in adulthood: Findings from a community sample. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 777–789. https://doi.org/10.1111/1469-7610.00493

    Özdemir, A. (2022). The effect of divorce reasons on post-divorce adjustment and quality of life. Journal of Family and Social Studies, 8(1), 78–92.

    Öztürk, S., & Demir, E. (2019). Parenting attitudes and marital satisfaction. Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 7(1), 55–73.

    Riggio, H. R., & Valenzuela, A. M. (2011). Parental marital conflict and divorce, parent–child relationships, and social support among Latino-American young adults. Personal Relationships, 18(3), 392–409. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01305

    Sandler, I. N., Tein, J.-Y., Mehta, P., Wolchik, S., & Ayers, T. (2000). Coping efficacy and psychological problems of children of divorce. Child Development, 71(4), 1099–1118. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00212

    Şen, C. B. (2024). Children whose parents are in the process of divorce and school social services. Adıyaman University Journal of Social Sciences, 17(48), 409–430.

    Sezen, L. (2005). Forms of marriage in Turkey. Ankara University Journal of Turkic Studies, 27, 185–195.

    Şimşek, G. (2019). Social support, family intervention, and marital adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 3(1), 12–27.

    Soygan, H. (2019). The sociological analysis of divorced woman's reasons for divorce and diffcultices they face after divorce – the case of Yozgat province (Thesis No. 590063) [Master’s thesis: Yozgat Bozok University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Tanrıverdi, D., & Özgüç, S. (2019). Comparison of aggression and violence attitudes among children/adolescents from fragmented and intact families. Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 10(3), 165–172.

    Tebeka, S., Hoertel, N., Dubertret, C., & Le Strat, Y. (2016). Parental divorce or death during childhood and adolescence and its association with mental health. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 204(9), 678–685. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000000549

    Toprak, E., Çelebi, M., & Orman, P. (2023). Occupational social support factors that should be prioritized in reducing teacher burnout. Pamukkale University Journal of Education Faculty, 59, 38–55. https://doi.org/10.9779/pauefd.1142792

    Turgut, M. (Ed.). (2015). Turkey divorce reasons research: TBNA 2014. Ministry of Family and Social Policies, Republic of Turkey.

    Turgut, S. İ. (2021). Investigation of the effect of parental alienation syndrome on deppression level in 13-17 age group children of divorced families (Thesis No. 703512) [Master’s thesis: Hacettepe University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). Marriage and divorce statistics, 2024 (Bulletin No: 54194). TÜİK. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Evlenme-ve-Bosanma-Istatistikleri-2024-54194 (Accessed August 3, 2025)

    Üncü, S. (2007). The relation between emotional intelligence and marital satisfaction (Thesis No. 232064) [Master’s thesis: Ankara University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    White, L., & Booth, A. (1991). Divorce over the life course: The role of marital happiness. Journal of Family Issues, 12(1), 5–21.

    Wolfinger, N. H. (2000). Beyond the intergenerational transmission of divorce: Do people replicate the patterns of marital instability they grew up with? Journal of Family Issues, 21(8), 1061–1086. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251300021008006

    Wolfinger, N. H. (2005). Understanding the divorce cycle: The children of divorce in their own marriages. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511499616

    Yıldırım, A., & Demir, T. (2020). Communication problems between spouses and divorce. Journal of Social Science Research, 10(4), 233–248.

    Yıldırım, O., & Arhan, S. (2013). Comparison of course weights in teacher education programs. National Education Journal, 46(213), 197–218.

    Yılmaz, N. D. (2011). Çatışma yaşayan ve boşanmış ailelerin ilköğretim çağındaki 7-12 yaş çocuklarının benlik algıları ve kaygı düzeylerini açısından çatışma yaşamayan ailelerin çocukları ile karşılaştırılması (Thesis No. 296624) [Master’s thesis: Maltepe University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Yüce, T. (2020). Divorce rates and marital duration in Turkey. Journal of Social Policy Studies, 6, 123–145.