The Long-Term Effects of Divorce: Mothers and Children in Concurrent Support Groups

Abstract

Supportive services in the form of concurrent groups for mothers and children experiencing the long-term negative effects of divorce are described. The general goal of the Single Parent Project was to provide parents and children an environment within which they could experience a cohesive feeling of support and sharing, and the opportunity to learn new communication and problem-solving skills. Each group (parent and child) was run by a graduate student. Clinical supervision was conjoint, helping to maintain conceptual unity of each family system. Issues presented by mothers or children were used to develop strategies for subsequent meetings. Although this project explored the effectiveness of a variety of interventions, two deserve special mention: (1) All siblings aged 4 through 12 were included, with no identification of a problem child. (2) Mothers served as co-therapists in the children’s group. Problems inherent in a pilot study of this nature are discussed. A 220primary benefit to both groups was social support and a decrease in social isolation.