TEMPE, Ariz. - An Arizona State University research team is showing that a short intervention program 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, and is to be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oct. 16, (embargoed until 3 p.m. (CT), Oct. 15,) 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 National Institute of Mental Health funds the study.

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.

"This study sends an important message," Sandler says. "What we did was teach healthy parenting under difficult circumstances."

"That the program had lasting effects on a wide variety of outcomes is remarkable and speaks to the importance of effective parenting in promoting positive developmental outcomes," adds Wolchik The JAMA study is a 6-year follow-up of previous research done by the same team. For the original study the researchers worked with 240 divorced families (children and custodial mothers), with children ages 9 - 12.

The researchers divided the families into three programs, a self-study literature program, where participants were given books and a self
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Contact: Lynette Summerill
lsummer@asu.edu
480-965-4823
Arizona State University
15-Oct-2002

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