Catherine Lee, PhD.
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa
A summary of her workshop presented at the Canadian Psychological Annual Convention, Ottawa, Ontario June 2000.
Divorcing parents are faced with concerns about the well-being of the children and the need to establish a new co-parenting relationship with the former partner. Traditionally, psychologists have assisted divorcing families with a number of services, including psychotherapy, custody evaluations, and mediation services (Lee, Beauregard & Hunsley, 1998a; 1998b; Lee, Picard, & Blain, 1994). The workshop focussed on the provision of psychological consultation in which parents are provided empirically informed information on the effects of separation and divorce on children. A wealth of longitudinal, controlled studies with psychometrically sound measures have established that although divorce is a painful process that requires all family members to adjust, the majority of children are resilient in the face of this stressor and are able to adjust to their parents' separation (Amato & Keith, 1991; Hetherington & Stanley-Hagen, 1999; Lee & Bax, 2000). A significant minority, however experience prolonged symptomatology that may be traced to the disruptions of parental conflict, separation, and sustained hostility after the divorce (Emery, 1999).
Empirically informed divorce consultation involves the provision of psychoeducation based on the large body of research in this area to individuals who are in the process of separating from their marital partner. Professional issues discussed include: consent, limits of confidentiality, avoidance of assessment, fit with other mental health services, responding to parental distress, and record-keeping. The format of divorce consultation services was presented, including discussion of the timing of consultation, the source of referrals, duration and frequency, and resources that are available for parents. Common themes covered in consultation include conflict, shared parenting, dealing with children's needs and emotions, parental distress, and developmental considerations.
It was noted that empirically based consultation is a preventive intervention offered to clients who may not be willing to engage in other psychological interventions. The efficacy of this approach has not yet been evaluated. Possible strategies for assessing the usefulness of the approach were discussed. Finally, illustrative case examples were presented. This approach is presented in greater detail in a forthcoming article in Cognitive and Behavioral Practice (Lee & Hunsley, in press).References
Amato, P. R., & Keith, B. (1991). Parental divorce and the well-being of children: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 110, 26-46.
Emery, R. E. (1999). Marriage, divorce, and children's adjustment (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage.
Hetherington, E. M., & Stanley-Hagen, M. (1999). The adjustment of children with divorced parents: A risk and resiliency perspective. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 129-140.
Lee, C. M., & Bax, K. (2000). The effects of separation and divorce on children. Paediatrics and Child Health, 5, 217-218.
Lee, C. M., Beauregard, C., & Hunsley, J. (1998a). Lawyers' opinions regarding child custody mediation and assessment services: Implications for psychological practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 29, 115-120.
Lee, C. M., Beauregard, C., & Hunsley, J. (1998b). Attorneys' opinions regarding child custody mediation and assessment services: The influence of gender, years of experience, and mediation practice. Family and Conciliation Courts Review, 36, 216-226.
Lee, C. M., & Hunsley, J. (in press). Empirically informed consultation to parents concerning the effects of separation and divorce on their children. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.
Lee, C. M., & Picard, M. C., & Blain, M. (1994). A methodological and substantive review of intervention outcome studies for families undergoing divorce. Journal of Family Psychology, 8, 3-15.