Parent Education Programs: Review of the Literature and Annotated Bibliography

76 Pages Posted: 17 Sep 2014

See all articles by Barbara A. Babb

Barbara A. Babb

University of Baltimore - School of Law

Gloria Danziger

University of Baltimore - School of Law

Judith Moran

University of Baltimore

Itta Englander

Independent

Date Written: June 1, 2009

Abstract

Court-connected parent education programs are an integral family service component in most of the nation’s family courts. These programs are implemented to enable the courts to respond efficiently and effectively to the proliferation of cases involving separation, divorce, and related issues such as child custody and access (Sigal, Sandler, Wolchik, and Braver, 2008; Pollet and Lombreglia, 2008; McIntosh and Deacon-Wood, 2003). Since 2007, parent education classes are mandatory in forty-six states (Pollet and Lombreglia, 2008). In Maryland, every court with jurisdiction over divorce and child custody matters utilizes some form of parent education.

The findings discussed in this literature review indicate that divorce education is more effective in certain circumstances than in others. Divorce education is less successful in improving communication between parents who already are well into the divorce process, and it is more successful when introduced earlier in the divorce process (Pollet and Lombreglia, 2008; McIntosh and Deacon-Wood, 2003; Thoennes and Pearson, 1999). The literature also indicates that skills-based, interactive divorce education programs are more effective than divorce education programs that simply provide parents with information presented in a didactic format (Bacon and McKenzie 2004).

Keywords: family courts, parent education programs, separation, divorce, child custody, child access, Maryland, literature review, divorce education, divorce process

JEL Classification: I28, I29, J13, K19, K39, K49

Suggested Citation

Babb, Barbara A. and Danziger, Gloria and Moran, Judith and Englander, Itta, Parent Education Programs: Review of the Literature and Annotated Bibliography (June 1, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2496927 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2496927

Barbara A. Babb (Contact Author)

University of Baltimore - School of Law ( email )

1420 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
United States
410-837-5661 (Phone)
410-837-5737 (Fax)

Gloria Danziger

University of Baltimore - School of Law ( email )

1420 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
United States

Judith Moran

University of Baltimore ( email )

1420 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
United States

Itta Englander

Independent

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
99
Abstract Views
865
Rank
482,506
PlumX Metrics