Effects of an asynchronous, fully web‐based parenting‐after‐divorce program to reduce interparental conflict, increase quality of parenting and reduce children's post‐divorce behavior problems

Abstract

AbstractThis study is a randomized controlled trial of an asynchronous, fully web‐based program for divorced and separated parents, the electronic New Beginnings Program (eNBP). This program is an adaptation of a group, in‐person program for divorced parents, the New Beginnings Program (NBP), which has been shown in randomized trials to reduce a wide range of offspring problems and improve a wide range of competencies up to 15 years after participation. The 10‐module, 5‐h program uses evidence‐based, highly interactive strategies to teach skills designed to strengthen parenting after divorce and reduce interparental conflict. Participants were 131 parents (63% mothers) and 102 adolescent offspring. Parents were randomly assigned to the eNBP or a wait‐list control condition. Parents and their children completed pre‐ and post‐tests. Analyses showed that at post‐test, parents and children in the eNBP reported significantly higher parent–child relationship quality, more effective discipline, lower interparental conflict and lower child mental health problems than did those in the wait‐list control condition. These are the strongest findings in the literature on the effects of web‐based programs to reduce interparental conflict, strengthen positive parenting and reduce children's post‐divorce mental health problems. Given that parental divorce has significant individual and societal costs, widespread implementation of this program could have significant public health implications.