A School-based Group Programme to Uncover and Change the Problematic Beliefs of Children from Divorced Families

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a semi-structured group intervention designed to have primary school children from divorced families ventilate and change their problematic beliefs about divorce. The effects of the programme on anxiety and depression were considered. The evaluation used a test, intervention, post-test and follow-up design. Participants in the investigation were 31 children representing 72 percent of a population of children from divorced families in two schools from a disadvantaged area. The intervention significantly reduced problematic beliefs about divorce and changes were maintained at follow-up after eight weeks. There were nonsignificant decreases in anxiety and depression and changes in beliefs were significantly correlated with changes in depression. These results, with qualitative data about beliefs expressed by children, are discussed. It is suggested that the results from the study are sufficiently strong to warrant further use and investigation of the intervention.