Skip to main content
Log in

A Psycho-Educational Group Program for Divorced Parents in Spain: A Pilot Study

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Contemporary Family Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This pilot study analyzed the feasibility of a group intervention program “Egokitzen” for divorced Spanish parents. The aim of this study is analyzing if the program helped parents to experience less inter-parental conflicts with the ex-partner and less psychological symptomatology, as measured at a 6 month follow-up subsequent to program completion. Twenty-seven (27) divorced parents participated in four separate groups of 5, 7, 6, and 9 participants respectively for 11 weeks. Results based on evaluation of 13 participants shows the general hypothesis was partially confirmed at 6 months post group completion. Limitations of the study are discussed; suggestions for future research are presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amato, P. R. (2000). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62, 1269–1287. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.01269.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amato, P. R. (2010). Research on divorce: Continuing trends and new developments. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72, 650–666. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00723.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amato, P. R., & Booth, A. (1991). Consequences of parental divorce and marital unhappiness for adult well-being. Social Forces, 69(3), 895–914.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernal, M., Haro, J. M., Bernert, S., Brugha, T., de Graaf, R., Bruffaerts, R., et al. (2007). Risk factors for suicidality in Europe: Results from the ESEMED study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 101, 27–34. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2006.09.018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bickman, L., de Andrade, A. R. V., Athay, M. M., Chen, J. I., De Nadai, A. S., Jordan-Arthur, B. L., et al. (2012). The relationship between change in therapeutic alliance ratings and improvement in youth symptom severity: Whose ratings matter the most? Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 39(1–2), 78–89. doi:10.1007/s10488-011-0398-0.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, A., & Amato, P. R. (2001). Parental predivorce relations and offspring postdivorce well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63(1), 197–212. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2001.00197.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christian-Herman, J. L., O’Leary, K. D., & Avery-Leaf, S. (2001). The impact of severe negative events in marriage on depression. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 20(1), 24–40. doi:10.1521/jscp.20.1.24.22250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1994). The Earth is round (p < .05). American Psychologist, 49, 997–1003. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.49.12.997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cookston, J. T., Braver, S. L., Sandler, I., & Genalo, M. T. (2002). Prospects for expanded parent education services for divorcing families with children. Family Court Review, 40(2), 190–203. doi:10.1111/j.174-1617.2002.tb00830.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L. (1977). SCL-90. Administration, scoring and procedures manual-I for the R (revised) version and other instruments of the psychopathology rating scales series. Chicago: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Sheikh, M., Hinnant, J. B., & Erath, S. (2011). Developmental trajectories of delinquency symptoms in childhood: The role of marital conflict and autonomic nervous system activity. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 120(1), 16–32. doi:10.1037/a0020626.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Eurostat. (2012). Marriage and divorce statistics. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Marriage_and_divorce_statistics.

  • González de Rivera, J. L., De las Cuevas, C., Rodríguez, M., & Rodríguez, F. (2002). Cuestionario de 90 síntomas SCL-90-R de Derogatis, L. Adaptación española. Madrid: TEA Ediciones.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, M., Bonds, D., Sandler, I., & Braver, S. (2004). Parent psychoeducational programs and reducing the negative effects of interparental conflict following divorce. Family Court Review, 42(2), 263–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grych, J. H. (2005). Interparental conflict as a risk factor for child maladjustment: Implications for the development of prevention programs. Family Court Review, 43(1), 97–108. doi:10.1111/j.1744-1617.2005.00010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harold, G. T., Aitken, J. J., & Shelton, K. H. (2007). Inter-parental conflict and children’s academic attainment: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48(12), 1223–1232.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, J. & Roberts, C. (2005). Intervening in litigated contact. Ideas from other jurisdictions. Family Policy Briefing, 4, 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Instituto Nacional de Estadística (2013). Notas de prensa: Estadísticas de nulidades, separaciones y divorcios año 2011 [Press Release: Statistics of annulments, separations, and divorces 2011]. Retrieved from http://www.ine.es/prensa/np735.pdf.

  • Iriarte, L., Martínez-Pampliega, A., Sanz, M. & Cosgaya, L. (2009). Programas psicoeducativos para madres y padres en proceso de separación/divorcio. In A. Martínez-Pampliega (Ed.). Divorcio y Monoparentalidad. Retos de nuestra sociedad ante el divorcio (pp. 67–87).

  • Justicia, M. D., & Cantón, J. (2011). Conflictos entre padres y conducta agresiva y delictiva de los hijos [Interparental conflict and aggression and delinquency in children]. Psicothema, 23(1), 20–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamp Dush, C. M. (2013). Marital and cohabitation dissolution and parental depressive symptoms in fragile families. Journal of Marriage and Family, 75(1), 91–109. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2012.01020.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, L. (1997). Focus on European environmental law. London: Sweet & Maxwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, L., & Kowal, A. (1998). Long-term follow-up of a court-based intervention for divorcing parents. Family and Conciliation Courts Review, 36, 452–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, L., & Washo, C. (1993). Evaluation of a court-mandated prevention program for divorcing parents. Family Relations, 42(1), 179–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, F. O., Simons, R. L., Conger, R. D., Elder, G. H. Jr., Johnson, C., & Chao, W. (1997). Married and recently divorced mothers’ stressful events and distress: Tracing change across time. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 59, 219–232. doi:10.2307/353674.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loxton, D., Mooney, R., & Young, A. F. (2006). The psychological health of sole mothers in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 184(6), 265–268.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, N., Nicholson, J. M., & Erbas, B. (2013). Child mental health after parental separation: The impact of resident/non-resident parenting, parent mental health, conflict and socioeconomics. Journal of Family Studies, 19(1), 53–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mamun, A. A., Clavarino, A. M., Najman, J. M., Williams, G. M., O’Callaghan, M. J., & Bor, W. (2009). Maternal depression and the quality of marital relationship: A 14-year prospective study. Journal of Women’s Health, 18(12), 2023–2031. doi:10.1089/jwh.2008.1050.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Pampliega, A., Aguado, V., Corral, S., Cormenzana, S., Merino, L., & Iriarte, L. (2015). Protecting children after a divorce: Efficacy of egokitzen—an intervention program for parents on children’s adjustment. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(12), 3782–3792.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Pampliega, A., Iriarte, L., Sanz, M., Aguado, V., Cormenzana, S., Corral, S., et al. (2014). Egokitzen: Programa de intervención post-divorcio (Unpublished manual).

  • Martínez-Pampliega, A., Pérez-Testor, C., Iriarte, L., Alomar, E., & Simón, J. (2013). Salud mental, valores y funcionamiento familiar (Unpublished manuscript).

  • Martínez-Pampliega, A., Sanz, M., Iraurgi, I., & Iriarte, L. (2009). Impacto de la ruptura matrimonial en el bienestar físico y psicológico de los hijos. Síntesis de resultados de una línea de investigación. La Revue Du REDIF, 2, 7–18.

  • Pedro-Carroll, J. (2010). Putting children first. Proven parenting strategies for helping children thrive through divorce. New York: Avery/Penguin Group USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedro-Carroll, J., Nakhnikian, E., & Montes, G. (2001). Assisting children through transition: Helping parents protect their children from the toxic effects of ongoing conflict in the aftermath of divorce. Family Court Review, 39(4), 377–392. doi:10.1111/j.174-1617.2001.tb00620.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pendry, P., & Adams, E. (2013). Child-related interparental conflict in infancy predicts child cognitive functioning in a nationally representative sample. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22(4), 502–515. doi:10.1007/s10826-012-9603-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, B., & O’Leary, K. D. (1980). Marital discord and childhood behavior problems. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 8(3), 287–295.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sigal, A., Sandler, I., Wolchik, S., & Braver, S. (2011). Do parent education programs promote healthy post-divorce parenting? Critical distinctions and a review of the evidence. Family Court Review, 49(1), 120–139. doi:10.1111/j.1744-1617.2010.01357.x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sigal, A. B., Wolchik, S. A., Tein, J., & Sandler, I. N. (2012). Enhancing youth outcomes following parental divorce: A longitudinal study of the effects of the new beginnings program on educational and occupational goals. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 41(2), 150–165.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Strohschein, L. (2005). Parental divorce and child mental health trajectories. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67, 1286–1300. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2005.00217.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolchik, S., Sandler, I., Weiss, L., & Winslow, E. (2007). New beginnings: An empirically-based intervention program for divorced mothers to promote resilience in their children. In J. M. Briesmeister & C. E. Schaefer (Eds.), Handbook of parent training: Helping parents prevent and solve problem behaviors (pp. 25–62). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolchik, S. A., Sandler, I. N., Millsap, R. E., Plummer, B. A., et al. (2002). Six-year follow-up preventive interventions for children of divorce: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 288(15), 1874–1882.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolchik, S. A., Sandler, I. N., Winslow, E., & Smith-Daniels, V. (2005). Programs for promoting parenting of residential parents: Moving from efficacy to effectiveness. Family Court Review, 43(1), 65–80. doi:10.1111/j.1744-1617.2005.00008.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the Basque Government because this research was funded by the Department of Education, Universities and Research of the Basque Country Government (UE-2012-15) and by the Innovation and Science Ministry of Spain (PSI 2011-29828).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Merino.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Merino, L., Iriarte, L., Aguado, V. et al. A Psycho-Educational Group Program for Divorced Parents in Spain: A Pilot Study. Contemp Fam Ther 39, 230–238 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-017-9419-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-017-9419-9

Keywords

Navigation