Comparing Online vs In Class programs for divorcing parents

Donald A. Gordon, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Ohio UniversityDirector, Center for Divorce Education

Karen R. Blaisure, Ph.D.

Professor, Western Michigan University

Laura Backen Jones, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist, Oregon Research Institute

Children In The Middle (CIM)(Overview & Brief History)

The Developer 's background30 Years, Clinical Psychologist Delinquency prevention and treatmentOhio University & Colleagues

Research Shift – work w/divorcing families as way to reduce or prevent delinquency.

Developing Divorce EducationStarting from what we know:

Divorcing Parents + High Conflict = Ability to parent well reduced

Child(ren) + loss of 1 parent from home = Child(ren) more likely to Act out and be Maladjusted

Children In The MiddleContinued

Parenting Deficits During Divorce:Attention to child and support declinesDiscipline becomes inconsistentSupervision of child declinesDisruptions in communication

What can be done to contain the conflict, promote productive co-parenting skills, and reduce harm and hurt to children?

What Previous Research Shows

CIM Program Development – Research Shift:Review of the Literature – Building on Past Evidence

Structure of Existing Parent Education Programs Length variation: 2-14 hours in one to seven

session(s). 3 Models of delivery

• Information/Lecture Based = Provides information only (most prevalent)

• Affect Arousal = Elicits strong emotions, feel bad, heightens awareness.

• Skills Based = Learner Centered, engagement w/curriculum, tools + skills learned

Children In The Middle -- Program DevelopmentReview of the Literature – What research says:

Which Model of Delivery Changes Behavior?

Information/Lecture & Affect Arousal o Parent satisfaction, while easily attained, is

not related to behavior changeo No evidence this approach works

Skills Based = direct link to behavior change.

Children In The Middle -- Program Development:Review of the Literature – What research says (Continued)

Critical Skills to Teach in Divorced PE:Minimizing children’s exposure to conflictControlling parental angerSensitivity and empathySupport for other parent’s relationship with

child(ren)Supervision, involvement with childDiscipline

Children In The Middle -- Program Development:The Interviews (Children of Divorce)

What was most painful and difficult during the divorce? 5 Common Themes = 5 Scenes/Vignettes

matching results from young people: Carrying Messages Quizzing youth re: personal life of other parent Put downs (of other parent) Money complaints (how other parent spends) Problems related to long-distance parenting

CIM Development Strategy (What Will Change Behavior?)

Target Risk and Protective FactorsDecrease parental conflict involving childrenLoyalty binds most damaging

Show videos of parents creating loyalty binds

Motivate change by detailing why damaging

Instill hope by showing simple skills to reduce harm to children

Handouts with additional protective steps parents can take, and skill practice exercises

Importance of “Sound Research”

Sound Research =Peer Reviewed

Adequate Control Groups Experimental Design (Random Assignment)

Independent Replication

Professional: National Review Boards and Designation as a “Model Program” Independent Review Boards:

Review existing programs; ID those that meet criteria for “Sound Research” (e.g. National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs & Practices)

Adequate control groupRandom AssignmentIndependent Replication of Studies

“Sound Research” Continued

“Model Program” Designation by US Dept of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Only program for divorcing parents so designated.

CIM Evaluations & Distinctions

Re-litigation reduced: (due to skills taught)Parental conflict reduced (parent & child

report)Parent-child communication and access

improvedParental Satisfaction HighDecreased child behavior problems, risk for

delinquency

CIM Evaluations & Distinctions

CIM Online Program Design

Interaction required with Q&A formatAll text is narrated, controlled by userImmediate feedback and interactive teachingMultiple choice quizzes after each of five

scenarios (high interest w/relevant video scenes)User tested on booklets downloaded

(70% to pass)Monitoring of parent compliance by

professionals, courts

Why brief programs can be effective

– Principles of neuroscience incorporated:• Reducing influence of amygdala and

automatic “fight or flight” reactions

• Increased activation of prefrontal orbital cortex leads to emotional regulation and conscious decision making

• Mirror neurons and the social brain

Advantages to CIMO Instructional Design over CIM Group Class

Video memory superior to auditory memoryInteraction required, improves retentionDefensiveness is minimal since no reaction to

a professional or self-consciousness with other parents

User controls pace of program, can repeat material

User is accountable for learning via testing

Research: Online vs. In-person Parent Education Classes

NIDA funded grant compared CIM in class to CIM Online

Random assignment through courts (MI, OR)Both approaches equally effectiveParents strongly preferred onlineParents using online more likely to support child's

relationship with other parent than group parentsLatino parents showed better outcomes for online

Comparison of Online programs (U. IL)

Four online programs reviewed

Content—child, adult, court focused

Conceptual/empirical foundation

Instructional design

Evidence: CIM only program with evidence

Evaluation of parents performance: CIM only program with parental competence requirement

Research Question:

What effect do parent education programs for

divorcing families have on parent conflict,

co-parenting ability, and child adjustment?

Upcoming Grant ProposalPossible Participation by

Multnomah & Clackamas Counties

Upcoming Grant Proposal Participation by

Multnomah & Clackamas Counties, Portland, OR

Methodology:Comparing three approaches, w/random

assignment to each group.3-Prong Approach

2 In-Class Approaches 1 = Information/Lecture Based 1 = Skills Based

1 Online, Skills Based ApproachVoluntary participation by parents

Parenting Wisely

Interactive CD-ROM, self-administered

Extremely low cost

Online parenting skill training

SAMHSA and OJJDP Model Program

www.parentingwisely.com

Don Gordon, gordon@ohio.edu Lisa Horwitch, educator425@aol.com Website: www.divorce-education.com Center for Divorce Education, HQ

1005 E. State St., Ste G, Athens, OH 45701Phone: (740)594-2526

West Coast Office: 583 Prim St., Ashland, OR 97520Phone: (541)201-7680