Jl. Pedro-carroll et al., A two-year follow-up evaluation of a preventive intervention for young children of divorce, SCH PSYCH R, 28(3), 1999, pp. 467-476
This study reports the results of a two-year follow-up evaluation of a scho
ol-based, preventive intervention for kindergarten and first-grade children
whose parents were separated or divorced. Group support and social compete
nce enhancement were central components of the 12-session intervention, tai
lored to the developmental qualities of kindergarten and first-grade childr
en. Multiple measures were used to assess the home and school adjustment of
children in three conditions: Program Ss (Es) N= 34 Divorce Controls (DCs)
N= 15, and a Non-Divorced Comparison group (NDCs) N= 28. Teacher ratings (
blind to condition), parent interviews, child self report and school health
data showed that program children had less anxiety and fewer classroom adj
ustment problems and visits to the school health office than divorce contro
ls. Limitations of the study and its implications for future research and p
olicy are discussed.