Comparing Online vs In Class programs for divorcing parents
Donald A. Gordon, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Ohio UniversityDirector, Center for Divorce Education
Karen R. Blaisure, Ph.D.
Professor, Western Michigan University
Laura Backen Jones, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Oregon Research Institute
Children In The Middle (CIM)(Overview & Brief History)
The Developer 's background30 Years, Clinical Psychologist Delinquency prevention and treatmentOhio University & Colleagues
Research Shift – work w/divorcing families as way to reduce or prevent delinquency.
Developing Divorce EducationStarting from what we know:
Divorcing Parents + High Conflict = Ability to parent well reduced
Child(ren) + loss of 1 parent from home = Child(ren) more likely to Act out and be Maladjusted
Children In The MiddleContinued
Parenting Deficits During Divorce:Attention to child and support declinesDiscipline becomes inconsistentSupervision of child declinesDisruptions in communication
What can be done to contain the conflict, promote productive co-parenting skills, and reduce harm and hurt to children?
What Previous Research Shows
CIM Program Development – Research Shift:Review of the Literature – Building on Past Evidence
Structure of Existing Parent Education Programs Length variation: 2-14 hours in one to seven
session(s). 3 Models of delivery
• Information/Lecture Based = Provides information only (most prevalent)
• Affect Arousal = Elicits strong emotions, feel bad, heightens awareness.
• Skills Based = Learner Centered, engagement w/curriculum, tools + skills learned
Children In The Middle -- Program DevelopmentReview of the Literature – What research says:
Which Model of Delivery Changes Behavior?
Information/Lecture & Affect Arousal o Parent satisfaction, while easily attained, is
not related to behavior changeo No evidence this approach works
Skills Based = direct link to behavior change.
Children In The Middle -- Program Development:Review of the Literature – What research says (Continued)
Critical Skills to Teach in Divorced PE:Minimizing children’s exposure to conflictControlling parental angerSensitivity and empathySupport for other parent’s relationship with
child(ren)Supervision, involvement with childDiscipline
Children In The Middle -- Program Development:The Interviews (Children of Divorce)
What was most painful and difficult during the divorce? 5 Common Themes = 5 Scenes/Vignettes
matching results from young people: Carrying Messages Quizzing youth re: personal life of other parent Put downs (of other parent) Money complaints (how other parent spends) Problems related to long-distance parenting
CIM Development Strategy (What Will Change Behavior?)
Target Risk and Protective FactorsDecrease parental conflict involving childrenLoyalty binds most damaging
Show videos of parents creating loyalty binds
Motivate change by detailing why damaging
Instill hope by showing simple skills to reduce harm to children
Handouts with additional protective steps parents can take, and skill practice exercises
Importance of “Sound Research”
Sound Research =Peer Reviewed
Adequate Control Groups Experimental Design (Random Assignment)
Independent Replication
Professional: National Review Boards and Designation as a “Model Program” Independent Review Boards:
Review existing programs; ID those that meet criteria for “Sound Research” (e.g. National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs & Practices)
Adequate control groupRandom AssignmentIndependent Replication of Studies
“Sound Research” Continued
“Model Program” Designation by US Dept of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Only program for divorcing parents so designated.
CIM Evaluations & Distinctions
Re-litigation reduced: (due to skills taught)Parental conflict reduced (parent & child
report)Parent-child communication and access
improvedParental Satisfaction HighDecreased child behavior problems, risk for
delinquency
CIM Evaluations & Distinctions
CIM Online Program Design
Interaction required with Q&A formatAll text is narrated, controlled by userImmediate feedback and interactive teachingMultiple choice quizzes after each of five
scenarios (high interest w/relevant video scenes)User tested on booklets downloaded
(70% to pass)Monitoring of parent compliance by
professionals, courts
Why brief programs can be effective
– Principles of neuroscience incorporated:• Reducing influence of amygdala and
automatic “fight or flight” reactions
• Increased activation of prefrontal orbital cortex leads to emotional regulation and conscious decision making
• Mirror neurons and the social brain
Advantages to CIMO Instructional Design over CIM Group Class
Video memory superior to auditory memoryInteraction required, improves retentionDefensiveness is minimal since no reaction to
a professional or self-consciousness with other parents
User controls pace of program, can repeat material
User is accountable for learning via testing
Research: Online vs. In-person Parent Education Classes
NIDA funded grant compared CIM in class to CIM Online
Random assignment through courts (MI, OR)Both approaches equally effectiveParents strongly preferred onlineParents using online more likely to support child's
relationship with other parent than group parentsLatino parents showed better outcomes for online
Comparison of Online programs (U. IL)
Four online programs reviewed
Content—child, adult, court focused
Conceptual/empirical foundation
Instructional design
Evidence: CIM only program with evidence
Evaluation of parents performance: CIM only program with parental competence requirement
Research Question:
What effect do parent education programs for
divorcing families have on parent conflict,
co-parenting ability, and child adjustment?
Upcoming Grant ProposalPossible Participation by
Multnomah & Clackamas Counties
Upcoming Grant Proposal Participation by
Multnomah & Clackamas Counties, Portland, OR
Methodology:Comparing three approaches, w/random
assignment to each group.3-Prong Approach
2 In-Class Approaches 1 = Information/Lecture Based 1 = Skills Based
1 Online, Skills Based ApproachVoluntary participation by parents
Parenting Wisely
Interactive CD-ROM, self-administered
Extremely low cost
Online parenting skill training
SAMHSA and OJJDP Model Program
www.parentingwisely.com
Don Gordon, [email protected] Lisa Horwitch, [email protected] Website: www.divorce-education.com Center for Divorce Education, HQ
1005 E. State St., Ste G, Athens, OH 45701Phone: (740)594-2526
West Coast Office: 583 Prim St., Ashland, OR 97520Phone: (541)201-7680