THE IMPACT OF FATHER ABSENCE TOWARDS THE ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP OF YOUNG ADULT WOMEN
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UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
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This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of young adult women in Malaysia who have grown up with the absent of father figures, and how such absence has shaped their romantic relationships. By utilizing a phenomenological approach, this research aims to deeply understand the perceptions, emotional impacts and attachment styles that emerge from prolonged paternal absence, whether physical or emotional. Drawing on Attachment Theory and Cognitive – Behavioural Therapy (CBT), this study investigates the ways in which insecure attachment styles, fear of abandonment and cognitive distortions manifest in romantic settings. Through the semi-structured interviews with participants aged 20 till 27 years old, who have experienced father absence for a minimum of 10 years. The findings highlight the psychological vulnerabilities and relational challenges faced by these women, including trust issues, low self-esteem and difficulty with emotional intimacy. This research addresses methodological and geographical gaps in existing literature by offering an in- depth Malaysian perspectives on a topic predominantly studied in Western contexts. It also underscored the importance of early parental bonding in shaping adult relational patterns, offering implications for counselling practices, mental health interventions and family support frameworks.