Factors Contributing to Divorce in Low-Income Families and the Role of Nonprofit Organizations in Mitigating the Social Effects of Divorce: A Study of Families Benefiting from Bonyan Association in Riyadh City

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to divorce among low-income families in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, examine the social, psychological, and economic consequences of divorce, and explore the role of nonprofit organizations in mitigating its effects. The study employed a descriptive survey design using a purposive sampling technique within the social survey method. A quantitative approach was adopted for data collection and statistical analysis. The study sample consisted of 100 divorced women from low-income families who were beneficiaries of services provided by nonprofit organizations. The results of the study showed that divorce in low-income families is highly related to economic pressures, poor family income, and financial burdens, in addition to a number of social factors such as poor dialogue, personality differences, and the interference of relatives, as well as psychological factors represented in the intensity of emotion, a lot of psychological pressure, and stubbornness between the spouses. The results also showed that the first years of marriage are the most prone to divorce. The study showed that divorce has multiple economic, social and psychological effects, the most prominent of which was the increase in financial burdens on divorced women, the impact of society's negative view of divorced women, in addition to the psychological impact of children and their loss of sense of security and family stability. The results also revealed that the role of non-profit organizations was moderate, as their efforts were concentrated on financial support and family counseling, with a lack of specialized programs directed to children. The study recommended the need to develop integrated programs that combine economic support and psychosocial rehabilitation, enhance the role of the social worker, and expand the partnership between government agencies and non-profit organizations to reduce the effects of divorce and support the stability of low-income divorced families.