The aim of the research study was to give ‘voice’ to young adults’ childhood experiences of parental separation; to understand what they thought and how they felt about their experiences at the time, what they considered important then, and how they viewed their experiences now, as they looked back as young adults. Understanding how they felt about the changes experienced during and after separation provided the opportunity to assess their accommodation of these changes over time and identify aspects of childhood experience influencing their level of accommodation. Analysis of the data allowed respondents’ accounts to be assessed according to whether they showed a high, medium or low level of accommodation (see Chapter Three). Common themes emerged within each level and were used to construct a new framework for understanding children's accommodation of parental separation and post-separation changes. This chapter describes the construction of the framework and explains how the framework can be used to deepen understanding of children's experiences.

The chapter starts with an account of individual responses and explains how they were categorised and positioned according to the level of satisfaction (Continuum 1) and level of acceptance (Continuum 2) shown. Where the levels aligned, a respondent’s level of accommodation could be determined according to whether they showed a high, medium or low level of accommodation, this is identified alongside the respondent ID number in this chapter. In some cases, responses showed a ‘lack of continuity’ across Continuum 1 and Continuum 2; these are identified in the chapter.

Once categorised according to their level of accommodation, further analysis encouraged a deeper, more meaningful understanding of individual experiences and the influence these exerted on their accommodation. By interrogating these particular aspects of their experience, a picture began to emerge of how certain childhood experiences influenced responses to post-separation changes and respondents’ level of accommodation over time.

The nature of family relationships means that children's experiences are unique, the responses given were diverse and sometimes complicated. Nonetheless a range of factors and experiences influencing young adults’ accommodation of childhood experiences of parental separation and post-separation changes could be identified. These were used to develop a new framework for understanding children's accommodation of parental separation and post-separation changes as explained in the second part of this chapter.