THE CHILDREN OF DIVORCE PARENTING INTERVENTION - OUTCOME EVALUATION OF AN EMPIRICALLY BASED PROGRAM

Examined efficacy of an empirically based intervention using 70 divorc ed mothers who participated in a 12-session program or a wait-list con dition. The program targeted five putative mediators: quality of the m other-child relationship, discipline, negative divorce events, contact with fathers, and support from nonparental adults. Posttest compariso ns showed higher quality mother-child relationships and discipline, fe wer negative divorce events, and better mental health outcomes for pro gram participants than controls. More positive program effects occurre d for mothers' than children's reports of variables and for families w ith poorest initial levels of functioning. Analyses indicated that imp rovement in the mother-child relationship partially mediated the effec ts of the program on mental health.