New Beginnings (for children of divorce)

The Program

The New Beginnings program is a group-based intervention for divorced parents that consists of 10 two-hour group sessions. Groups are led by two master’s level clinicians. The intervention focuses on working directly with the parent to change aspects of the child’s environment that directly involve the child, including increasing effective discipline strategies, increasing parent-child relationship quality and decreasing exposure to interparental conflict. There are two individual phone sessions between instructors and parents that are structured, but also allow for tailoring the program to specific needs. Program skills are taught through presentations, role-playing, and videotapes.

Intended Audience

This program was intended for children and youth ages 5 to 18.

Implementation

The New Beginnings program is a group-based intervention for divorced parents. The program is led by two master’s level clinicians and consists of 10 group sessions involving parents that are 2 hours each. In addition to the group sessions, there are two individual sessions (1½ hour) conducted with parents that focus on helping them use the program skills with their children and tailoring the program activities to a family’s needs. Activities in the group sessions focus on teaching skills such as good listening, anger management, effective consequences for child behavior and doing positive family activities. The program is highly structured and includes videotaped modeling and role-playing to demonstrate program skills. Home practice is also assigned to encourage parents to practice the program skills. The studies certified by Blueprints included mothers, but not fathers.

Outcomes

internalizing problems at posttest

grade-point average at six-year follow-up (combined intervention group)

number of sexual partners at six-year follow-up (combined intervention group)

diagnosis of mental health disorder at six-year and 15-year follow-ups (combined intervention group)

days in jail at 15-year follow-up (combined intervention group)

child-reported aggression

parent-reported communication, positive routines, control, and willingness to change visitation

Evidence

New Beginnings has been recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) as a promising practice. Additionally, it is endorsed by Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development as a certified program in their database. There are several published studies regarding the program’s effectiveness.

Additional Resources