In the past two decades, most states in the US have required divorcing couples with children to attend a parent education program. Despite this mandate, there is only limited evidence that these programs are effective or that they make any difference in the lives of divorcing families.
Jeffrey Cookston and Wenson Fung report on a program called "Kids' Turn" that has been operating in the San Francisco area since 1988. The program has six sessions for the parents in which they learn strategies for managing co-parenting relationships, the effects of divorce on children, and helpful methods for managing children. The program also includes a concurrent session for the children in which they learn coping strategies and other skills to help them navigate the divorce transition.
To examine the impact of the program Cookston and Fung asked parents to complete a series of measures to assess coparenting issues with the former partner, parent-child relationships and children and parents' mental health. Parents completed the surveys both before the program and after the program in order to test whether the program made a difference in these measures.
The results look promising, especially in regards to co-parenting issues. Following the program, parents reported less conflict with their former spouse, less parental alienation and a reduced range of issues that were in conflict between the parents. Many studies have demonstrated that continued parental conflict following divorce is detrimental to children so this is an important finding. Programs that can reduce parental conflict are likely to have a positive long-term effect on children.
But the program found no differences before and after the program in terms of changes in the parent-child relationship. Other programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in improving parenting have included specific practice or homework activities using parenting strategies to help parents learn these strategies. Changing the structure of the program delivery model may improve this program.
The report also notes that some anxiety and depression among the parent participants was reduced over the course of the program, as was children's depression. These findings also are notable. Again there is considerable evidence that parental depression tends to undermine effective parenting. Therefore, by improving the well-being of parents, they are more likely to engage in warm interactions with children and provide appropriate limits. Lastly, the program also had some modest immediate effects on children's emotional health. This too is positive.
This evaluation is somewhat limited by the fact that the participants were likely to have been somewhat more motivated and committed by participating in this research and there was no comparison group to assess that did not get the program, but this is modest evidence that this program and other programs like it are useful to parents.
Our curriculum is now designed to help children and parents build new skills designed to ease them through the difficulties they experience during separation or divorce. We believe this direction moves families beyond the 'facts' and helps them manage their family lives successfully at a very difficult time.
Claire N. Barnes, MA
Executive Director, Kids' Turn
www.kidsturn.org
Claire N. Barnes, MA
Executive Director, Kids' Turn
www.kidsturn.org
Kids' Turn is one of very few divorce programs in the United States that includes services for children. Most divorce workshops are a parent only model offered by a court or university in a 4-5 hour class that meets once. By including children, Kids' Turn offers kids a place to find they are not alone in the experience making their well-being is a priority.
Our six week model requires a long-term commitment by parents to focus on their children. Helping parents stay engaged (or re-engage) with their parenting duties during this time is critical to the well-being of divorce kids.
We don't give homework. Rather, our program model has both parents and children learning the same new skills (age appropriately of course) each week so discussions can occur between sessions on the similarities of the experience for children and parents. This is a new program element added after Dr. Cookston's evaluation.
Importantly, Kids' Turn is offered in a community setting (we rent schools, churches, etc.) and not in the very restricted settings of a court or university. Given this reality, the favorable outcomes found by Dr. Cookston and Wenston Fung, are even more compelling.
Thank you again for drawing attention to this topic and to Kids' Turn.
Claire N. Barnes, MA
Executive Director, Kids' Turn
www.kidsturn.org
Courts and mediators cost hundreds of millions of dollars every year. If can can reduce that expense by even 5% - GREAT.
This reduces court appearances - the judge doesn't have to give a warning and then wait for another screw up and so on....
The sort of people who cause all the uproar, victimize the ex, knowingly victimize their own children.
Can we please put the children first & start the custody evaluation immediately after divorce is filed. No delay, no hearing(s). Just get on with it, & really make this in the best interest in of the children.