A Brief Overview of Divorce Education and Its Value

Sean Brotherson, PhDExtension Family Science Specialist, NDSUEM: sean.brotherson@ndsu.eduPH: 701.231.6143

Potential Negative Effects of Divorce on Children

Anger Externalizing behavior problems (acting out,

aggression, etc.) Stress, anxiety, depression Relationship difficulties Disruptions in academic achievement Impacts on physical health Impacts on mental/emotional health Poverty

Focus of Divorce Education Programs

Improve parental understanding of the divorce process

Improve parental cooperation and decrease conflict

Improve children’s adjustment to divorce or separation

Improve short and long-term mental health for parents and children

Alleviate behavioral problems associated with poor adjustment

Content of Divorce Education Programs

Clarify misconceptions about divorce & understand the divorce process

Provide social support to individuals and children during and after the divorce process

Teach coping and problem solving skills to adults and children

Improve co-parental and parent-child communication skills

Provide specific educational resources on dealing with divorce (parenting plan, etc.)

Sample Divorce Education Programs

For ParentsParents Forever (University of Minnesota)Children of Divorce (NDSU)

For ChildrenChildren of Divorce Intervention Program

(NY)New Beginnings (AZ)Family All Ways (MN/ND pilot project)

Elements of Divorce Education Programs

In some states, divorce education is mandated under state law

Programs are psychoeducational - focus on learning, group support, resources

Programs usually operate through a school, court, or educational organization

Vary in length from 4 to 24 hours – from 1 session to 10-12 sessions

Best evaluation is pre and post-intervention comparisons, with some follow-up assessment

Impacts of Divorce Education on Adults

Increased knowledge about divorce and its effects

Reduced depression and anxietyBetter post-divorce adjustmentIncreased co-parental communication

and cooperationDecreased co-parental conflict

Impacts of Divorce Education on Children

Decreased aggression and externalizing problems (acting out, etc.)

Increased social skills with others Reduced anxiety and stress Increased perception of social support,

available resources Increased coping ability Better overall adjustment to divorce process

Parents Forever in ND – Initial Findings through April 2008

Parents Forever – A single-session 4-hour version of the course has been offered in ND since October 2007

N = 164 participants

Counties Cass -25.2% Grand Forks – 11.7% McIntosh – 2.5% Morton- 12.3% Ramsey – 9.8% Stark – 17.2% Stutsman – 6.7% Ward – 10.4% Williams – 4.3%

Demographics of Sample

GenderMale- 70 (45.8%)Female- 83 (54.2%)

Relationship Status Considering separation or divorce – 2.7% Separated from partner – 9.6% In the divorce process – 46.6% Completed the divorce process – 24.7% Never married to child’s other parent – 16.4%

Referral Source to Parents Forever

How did you lean about Parents Forever? Attorney - 36.1% Judge or legal/court official - 25.8% Other - 14.8% (new partner, etc.) Social Services - 7.1% A friend or relative – 6.5% Media ad - 4.5% Brochure or flier - 4.5% Former Spouse or Partner - 0.6%

General Impacts of Parents Forever

Participant Response to Parents Forever

Agreed Strongly Agreed

Felt the Parents Forever session was worthwhile for me

52% 39%(Total – 91%)

Think Parents Forever would be beneficial for all divorcing parents

38% 56%(Total – 94%)

Would recommend Parents Forever to someone else

98.7%(Yes)

Parental Understanding of Divorce Issues – Before and After Impacts (5-point scale)

2.98

3.31

3.36

3.71

4.35

4.55

4.58

4.53

1.37

1.24

0.82

1.22

0 1 2 3 4 5

E ffectiveC ommunication

S trateg ies

Avoiding HurtfulP atterns

C hildren andG rief/L oss

S tages ofDivorce

S ignificant DifferenceS core

Now, After P articipation(Mean S core)

B efore P articipation(Mean S core)

Parental Understanding of Divorce Issues – Before and After Impacts (5-point scale)

2.99

2.76

3.49

4.35

4.23

4.55

1.36

1.47

1.06

0 1 2 3 4 5

Adjusting toNew L ife

P arallelP arenting

P lan

K eepC hildren O utof the Middle

S ignificantDifference S core

Now, AfterP articipation(Mean S core)

B eforeP articipation(Mean S core)

Evaluation of Instructors and Materials used

Question - Please rate instructor and materials used

Overall Mean Score - From 1 (Not at All)

to 5 (Very Much)

Instructors were well prepared 4.45

Presented the material well 4.58

Provided information that will help me

4.55

Handouts/handbook will be helpful to me

4.41

Video clips were helpful 4.17

Feelings About Attending Parents Forever

F eeling about Attending the C las s

0

71.40%27.30%

16.90%

5.20%

5.80%

3.90%

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00%

Interested and Willing

R equired by court

Neutral

Did not want to attend

R equired for other reasons

O ther

Barriers to Attendance at PF

Barriers to attending the classDistance - 43.1%Timing - 38.9%Cost - 33.3%Other - 16.7%

Conclusion

“Divorce education provides a pathway for changing the trajectory of a child or adult’s downward spiral due to the effects of divorce. Instead, the parent or child can receive social support and learn coping skills that enable a shift in direction and a more optimistic, positive family future.”