Exploring Career Development Challenges of Adult Girls of Divorced Parents

Objective Children are among the victims of parental divorce, whose lives take on a different tone and color after the divorce. This study aimed to explore the career development experiences of adult girls with divorced parents. Method The present research employed a qualitative approach through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The population included adult girls of divorced parents residing in Tehran during 2022–2023. The sample was selected by purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. The data were analyzed using the seven-step strategic method of Diekelmann et al. (1989). Findings : Data analysis identified three main themes, eight subthemes, and 49 primary concepts. The three main themes encompassed individual challenges (self-awareness barriers, psychological problems, inability to forge a path, and family problems), social challenges (poor social skills and cultural problems), and procedural challenges (poor decision-making and ineffective human relationships). Conclusion Overall, the findings revealed that the experience of parental divorce influenced the career and future development of children, highlighting the critical role of career counselors in identifying and implementing appropriate interventions to address the challenges and prevent career-related problems of children of divorce.