Children in Between
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Children in Between (CIB), formerly known as Children in the Middle, is an educational intervention for divorcing families that aims to reduce the parental conflict, loyalty pressures, and communication problems that can place significant stress on children. CIB consists of one to two 90- to 120-minute classroom sessions and can be tailored to meet specific needs. The intervention teaches specific parenting skills, particularly good communication skills, to reduce the familial conflict experienced by children. Each parent attending classes typically receives two CIB booklets that give advice for reducing the stress of divorce/separation on children and promote practice of the skills taught in the course. Each parent also watches the CIB video, which illustrates how children often feel caught in the middle of their parents' conflicts.
Goal / Mission
The goal of this program is to reduce the negative impacts of divorce and separation on children.
Impact
Children of parents in the program said they felt caught in the middle less often compared to those of non-participants, and reported less stress in general. Parents who took the course also reported more awareness of their children's feelings, and had better communication with their children.
Results / Accomplishments
Studies show that in terms of parental conflict, parents who participated in the program reported putting their children in the middle of conflict less often than parents in the comparison and control groups combined. Children of parents in the CIB group said they felt caught in the middle less often compared to children of parents in the comparison and control groups combined, and reported less stress in general. Parents who took the CIB course also reported more awareness of their children's feelings, and had better communication with their children.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
The Center for Divorce Education
Primary Contact
The Center for Divorce Education
1005 East State Street, Suite G
Athens, OH 45701
877-874-1365
staff@divorce-education.com
http://www.divorce-education.com
1005 East State Street, Suite G
Athens, OH 45701
877-874-1365
staff@divorce-education.com
http://www.divorce-education.com
Topics
Health / Children's Health
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Community / Social Environment
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Community / Social Environment
Organization(s)
The Center for Divorce Education
Source
SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
Date of publication
Aug 2006
Date of implementation
1992
For more details
Target Audience
Children