Literature review of evidence-based family interventions that could be used for this population
For our case study of divorcing parents with kids, there are various evidence-based family interventions that could be applicable. One of these interventions is consultation. A study by Clemens (2007) suggests that divorcing parents should consult a higher authority. For instance, such parties are urged to seek advice from a religious leader before they may chart on the way forward. In this case, consultation can serve as one of the effective preventive measures. Mapping this intervention to our case study at hand, Steven and Maria could have consulted on how they should raise their children in the face of the filed divorce.
Moreover, consultation can also be used in Christine, David, and Zack over their defiant behaviors. Since two of the three are school-going children, there should be a shared consultative role between the teachers and the caretakers. According to a research that was conducted by Williford & Shelton (2008), consultation is found to be the most appropriate approach in helping children in adjusting to the new environment of divorce initiated by their parents. Besides, a study that is similar to this one stated that consultation can help in improving academic outcomes while reducing externalizing behaviors in children who are victims of divorcing parents (Amato, 2001).
Last but not least, Children Divorce Intervention program is the other evidence-based family intervention that can be used in the second part of the case study featuring the defiantly behaving children. This kind of program incorporates various psychological interventions that are known to improve the normal functioning of children across the social and academic domains, and this is as outlined in the study by O’Halloran & Carr (2000). The efficacy of the children’s divorce intervention program is also elaborated further by Pedro-Carroll & Jones, 2005.
Advantages and disadvantages of the interventions:
Consultation
The advantage of consultation is that the divorcing parties can come to a point of reconciliation. In this case, such persons may not necessarily get back together but may make informed choices.
Apart from that, the other advantage of consultation is that it may help in brainstorming the possible options. When a third party comes in a crisis, chances are that new ideas and options ma be arrived at. This is because the intervener will also be given a chance to express his or her ideas and opinions over the subject matter.
On the other hand, the disadvantage of consultation is that the persons seeking advice may get the wrong advice. This will, in turn, ruin them further. Therefore, to curb this, the parties should be very careful about what they think is right as per the results of the consultations.
Last but not least, the other disadvantage of consultation is that it is time-consuming. The involved parties may end up taking a lot of time on seeking advice rather than ironing out their issues.
Children Divorce Intervention Program
The advantage of this intervention is that it takes a narrow approach by focusing on children. In this case, all the moves made are tailored towards helping the children in adjusting to the divorce environment.
Moreover, given that this program is tailored to specifically deal with the divorce situation, there are increased chances of it being effective. This is unlike consultation, which may take a general approach.
On the other hand, there is one main disadvantage of the use of Children Divorce Intervention Program, and this is that it focuses more on the behavior of the involved children.
References
Amato, P. R. (2001). Children of divorce in the 1990s: An update of the Amato and Keith
(1991) meta-analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 15, 355-370.
Clemens, E. (2007). Developmental counseling and therapy as a model for school
counselor consultation with teachers. Professional School Counseling, 10, 352-359.
O’Halloran, M., & Carr, A. (2000). Adjustment to parental separation and divorce. In. A.
Carr (Ed.), What works with children and adolescents? A critical review of psychological interventions with children, adolescents, and their families.
Pedro-Carroll, J. L., & Jones, S. H. (2005). A preventative play intervention to foster
children’s resilience in the aftermath of divorce. In L. A. Reddy, T. M. Files-Hall, & C. E. Schaefer (Eds.), Empirically based play interventions for children (pp. 51- 75). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Williford, A. P., & Shelton, T. L. (2008). Using mental health consultation to decrease
disruptive behaviors in preschoolers: Adapting an empirically-supported intervention. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49, 191-200.