Supporting children's well-being: Outcomes of a rural child-focused education program for separating or divorced parents

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of the educational components of a child-focused Post Separation Cooperative Parenting (PSCP) program aimed at lowering inter-parental acrimony, improving parent-child relationships and supporting adaptive outcomes for an identified child. Inter-parental acrimony is common among adults whose relationship has broken down1 and can have a detrimental effect on their child's adjustment, both currently and into the future. Impacts include poor academic achievement, behavioural and emotional disorders and antisocial and criminal conduct. The parent-child relationship might also suffer. These implications, and the high rate of separation and divorce in Australia, has led the Australian Government to fund not-for-profit organisations to offer counselling, parental dispute education and mediation services to affected families. These PSCP programs help parents learn how conflict affects children, and how to focus on the needs and well-being of the child. This study evaluated an innovative education and skills training program developed by Centacare New England North West Family Relationship Centre and delivered to parents in rural New South Wales as part of a PSCP program.