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New Beginnings for Children of Divorce

An Effective Practice

Description

The New Beginnings program is a group-based intervention for divorced mothers and their children that consists of 10 two-hour group sessions held either for mothers or concurrently for mothers and their children. Groups are led by two master's level clinicians. The intervention focuses on changing aspects of the child's environment that directly involve the child, including increasing effective discipline strategies, increasing mother-child relationship quality and decreasing exposure to interparental conflict. There are two individual phone sessions that are structured, but also allow for tailoring the program to specific needs. Program skills are taught through presentations, role-playing, and videotapes.

The dual-component intervention (for mothers and their children), consists of group sessions focused on changing behaviors that have been found to predict postdivorce adjustment problems, including coping strategies, mother-child relationship quality and interparental conflict. The mother-only program is certified as Model by Blueprints, as this program has been replicated. The dual-component (for both mothers and children) is certified as Promising only, as this program has no replication.

Goal / Mission

A 10-session group program, with two individual sessions, for divorced mothers and their children to promote resilience in children after parental divorce.

Impact

At the fifteen-year followup, NBP reduced the incidence of internalizing disorders for females and males and substance-related disorders and substance use for males.

Results / Accomplishments

Participants in NBP, have shown improvements and active use of appropriate coping mechanisms, communication, and lower risk behaviors towards sexual conduct and substance abuse.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Arizona State University
Primary Contact
Sharlene Wolchik
ASU REACH Institute
900 S. McAllister Ave., Room 205
P.O. Box 876005
Tempe, AZ 85287-6005
480-965-7420
sharlene.wolchik@asu.edu
https://reachinstitute.asu.edu/about
Topics
Community / Social Environment
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health / Children's Health
Organization(s)
Arizona State University
Location
Tempe, AZ
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Families