Dissertation Title:

Eros Burning: Men in the Middle of Divorce

Candidate:

Anthony Andrew Delmedico

Date, Time & Place:

December 1, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Studio, Lambert Road campus


Abstract

This research explores what happens to some men when, despite the best of intentions and heroic efforts on all sides, a marriage ends in divorce. Using a blend of alchemical hermeneutics and hermeneutic phenomenology, this qualitative study explores the lived experience of 5 heterosexual men who suffered psychologically in divorce. Divorce was examined from Freudian, Jungian, and archetypal perspectives using the depth psychological lenses of alchemy, mythology, and fairy tale. A hybrid method of qualitative analysis was created that incorporated the use of psychodrama to analyze the data. From the results of this study, the journey through divorce for suffering men can be seen as being comprised of 3 stages: a Coming Storm, a Tempest, and an Aftermath. The intrapsychic destruction experienced by many men in divorce was also viewed as an attempt at an undoing of the hieros gamos, or sacred marriage. From the results of this investigation, it is further postulated that such a divorce may be a psychological impossibility. The author’s experience as a divorced man informs his observations and conclusions.

Note

All Oral Defense attendees must shuttle from the Best Western Hotel in Carpinteria

Because of Pacifica’s conditional use permit, which restricts campus parking, all guests of Pacifica must use our complimentary shuttle service to and from campus. Please call (805) 896-1887 or (805) 896-1888 for a shuttle pickup from the Best Western. A driver will pick you shortly and deliver you to the campus then return you to the Best Western when you are ready.

**Please note there will be students on campus for coursework. Please be considerate of them and note that dining room service is only available to students, and not to guests of the oral defense.**

Thank you for your kind consideration of our grounds!

Details
  • Program/Track/Year: Depth Psychology with Specialization in Psychotherapy, Track T, 2013
  • Chair: Dr. Allen Koehn
  • Reader: Dr. Patricia Katsky
  • External Reader: Dr. Thomas Moore
  • Keywords: Divorce, Men, Depth Psychology, Marriage, Relationship, Jung, Hillman