"Being estranged doesn't have to stop you from doing anything": A longitudinal study exploring the experiences of estranged students in UK higher education

Abstract

This thesis explores the lived experiences of students who are not in contact with or supported by their parents (‘estranged’). This research is situated in a context of ubiquitous ideological views of family in British society, and in a context of widening participation research and policy that takes increasing interest in estranged students. It explores the significant moments in estranged students’ day-to-day lives, and the support they draw upon when facing challenges.

To do so, I conducted a longitudinal study with ten undergraduates in England who were in the middle of their degree and identified as estranged. In-depth qualitative data was collected following their narratives through diaries and interviews from December 2020 to October 2021, capturing both term-time and holiday experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Iterative thematic analysis offered insights into how estranged students dynamically narrated their university experiences over time.

In their narratives, estranged students held non-normative views of family that extended beyond blood relations, but the social illegitimacy of these perspectives became a source of conflict. The study found that estranged students experience a diverse spectrum of challenges when navigating academics, finances, housing, and wellbeing, especially during holidays. Alongside these present difficulties, students simultaneously grappled with the impacts of their past family experiences, and a need to be looking ahead to prepare for their future survival. While every participant drew on support from their university, this support fell short and did not consider their unique needs. Estranged students responded by building supportive relationships to draw upon instead.

The findings of this research highlight the need for universities to adopt a nuanced approach that understands and supports the individual needs of each estranged student, enabling them to not only survive their studies, but to thrive throughout.