Tuesday, October 15, 2002

A story released today by Ascribe News reports that according to an Arizona State University research team, short intervention programs for children of divorced parents can significantly reduce long-term diagnosis of mental disorder in the children.

The study, which was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, showed a 36 percent reduction in serious emotional disorders in the adolescents whose families had participated in an 11-week program, over the number in a self-study group.

The study, by ASU psychology professors Sharlene Wolchik and Irwin Sandler and colleagues, showed significant reductions in a wide range of problems in adolescents six years after the classes including, drug, marijuana and alcohol use; behavioral problems; and the number of sexual partners.

The findings are important because nearly 50 percent of children experience the divorce of their parents. This is the first scientific demonstration of such long-term positive effects of programs for children of divorce.

The findings also point to the importance of parenting after divorce as a factor that impacts children's long-term adjustment.

The researchers divided the families into three programs - a self-study literature program, where participants were given books and a self-study program; a program for custodial mothers, where the mother attended an 11-week parenting skills class which focused on listening and communication skills, consistent discipline and other key parenting skills; and a combined program for mothers and children, which included the parenting class and a coping skills class for the children.

Six months after the study the researchers found the children whose mothers attended the class had fewer behavioral problems than those in the self-study program.

The adolescents in the combined program were 36 percent less likely to have diagnosed mental disorder and reported fewer sexual partners than those who had been in the self-study program. The adolescents whose mothers had attended the class had fewer mental health problems and fewer instances of drug, marijuana and alcohol use than teens that had been in the self-study program. The results for the mother program and the combined mother and child program were not significantly different.

The researchers are now planning a larger project in collaboration with Family Courts in Phoenix, Ariz., to examine if the class can be effectively delivered to families through community agencies. If successful, this project will raise public policy issues of how society can deliver such effective prevention programs in the community.