A Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Transitions Triple P: A Group-Administered Parenting Program to Minimize the Adverse Effects of Parental Divorce on Children

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of Family Transitions Triple P (FTTP), a 12-session, group-delivered positive parenting program designed to prevent adverse outcomes for children following parental divorce. Participants were 204 parents who had been divorced less than 2 years and had a child ages 2 to 14 years. Parents were randomized into 1 of 3 conditions: FTTP–E with enhanced engagement, FTTP–S with standard engagement, or waitlist control. Interventions were delivered through community relationship centers by relationship counselors. Results showed that parents in the FTTP conditions reported significantly greater reductions in child behavior problems and coercive parenting compared to the waitlist control condition. There were no significant differences between the FTTP–E and FTTP–S conditions. At 12-month follow-up for both FTTP intervention groups, there were sustained improvements in the levels of parental distress (depression, anxiety, stress, and anger) and improvements in coparent communication and acrimony. Implications of findings are discussed.

Keywords:

• cognitive-behavioral family intervention
• coping with distressing emotions
• managing conflict
• managing transition
• Triple P

Acknowledgments

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.anzctr.org.au/) # ACTRN12606000317594.