An exploratory study of the impact of the Children First program in reducing parental conflict in the divorce transition
This study explored the impact of a brief, narrowly focused education program for divorcing parents on increasing parent awareness of children's needs and reduction of interparental conflict. Behavioral changes on dimensions of conflict, communication and cooperation indicated notably positive outcomes. Fifty divorcing parents completing a court mandated Children First program, judges, attorneys, and program moderators evaluated the program's effectiveness. Parents, attorneys, and moderators were positive about the program. Judges lacked information of the program and its impact. Relationships were found on measures of conflict, communication, and cooperation and parental relationship, type of divorce proceeding, satisfaction with the divorce process, and parent-child relationships. Few parents had relitigated at six months post-program, and the majority had friendly or cooperative relationships.
Social Work, Sociology, Individual and Family Studies
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign