A Brief Overview of Divorce Education and Its Value Sean Brotherson, PhD Extension Family Science Specialist, NDSU EM: PH:

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 Parents Parents Forever (University of Minnesota) Children of Divorce (NDSU) For Children Children 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 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 anxiety Better post-divorce adjustment Increased co-parental communication and cooperation Decreased 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 Gender Male- 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 % Judge or legal/court official % Other % (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 AgreedStrongly 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)

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 prepared4.45 Presented the material well4.58 Provided information that will help me4.55 Handouts/handbook will be helpful to me4.41 Video clips were helpful4.17

Feelings About Attending Parents Forever

Barriers to Attendance at PF Barriers to attending the class Distance % Timing % Cost % Other %

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.”