An experimental evaluation of theory-based mother and mother-child programs for children of divorce.
This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 theory-based preventive interventions for divorced families: a program for mothers and a dual component mother-child program. The mother program targeted mother-child relationship quality, discipline, interparental conflict, and the father-child relationship. The child program targeted active coping, avoidant coping, appraisals of divorce stressors, and mother-child relationship quality. Families with a 9- to 12-year-old child (N = 240) were randomly assigned to the mother, dual-component, or self-study program. Postintervention comparisons showed significant positive program effects of the mother program versus self-study condition on relationship quality, discipline, attitude toward father-child contact, and adjustment problems. For several outcomes, more positive effects occurred in families with poorer initial functioning. Program effects on externalizing problems were maintained at 6-month follow-up. A few additive effects of the dual-component program occurred for the putative mediators; none occurred for adjustment problems.
Wolchik
S A
SA
Psychology Department, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287, USA. sharlene.wolchik@asu.edu
West
S G
SG
Sandler
I N
IN
Tein
J Y
JY
Coatsworth
D
D
Lengua
L
L
Weiss
L
L
Anderson
E R
ER
Greene
S M
SM
Griffin
W A
WA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001130:Arizona; D002648:Child; D004243:Divorce; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome