Preventive intervention for children of divorce : a school-based study

This study evaluates the effects of an eight week, school-based, preventive intervention programme on the adjustment of children to divorce. Thirty-three later latency stage children (9 to 12 year olds) were evaluated before and after intervention on the Child Behavior Check List by parents (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1983) and teachers (Edelbrock & Achenbach, 1984) for behaviour problems. Children's self reports on their problematic beliefs about divorce (Kurdek and Berg, 1987), self-perceived competence (Harter, 1985), and trait anxiety levels (Reynolds & Richmond, 1985) were assessed. Subsequent to the intervention children had significantly fewer misconceptions about divorce, had increased perceived social acceptance, and had decreased anxiety levels. Behavioral reports obtained from parents and teachers failed to support the apparent gains