Study finds online parenting courses protect kids against negative impacts of divorce

Jul 19, 2022

New Delhi, July 19 (ANI): An online parenting skills programme for separating or divorcing parents reduces interparental conflict, enhances parenting quality, and lessens symptoms of anxiety and sadness in children, according to a recent study from the Arizona State University Department of Psychology. The findings of the research were published in the journal 'Family Court Review'. Close to half of all marriages in the US end in divorce, affecting over 1 million children each year. These children are at an increased risk of struggling in school, experiencing mental health or substance use problems and engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The effectiveness of the eNew Beginnings Program was tested in a randomized controlled trial that included 131 participants who were randomly given access to the program or assigned to a waitlist. The findings will be published in Family Court Review. "Many divorcing parents are concerned about their children and might be frightened by the statistics they read that their children are at increased risk for negative outcomes. This study provides the strongest evidence to date of the positive impact of an online program for divorcing and separating parents," Sandler said. "Family court judges can use it as a tool to protect the wellbeing of children and to help parents through the process."