Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)
Divorce is an international problem that implicates children, affecting their best
interests. In the United States of America, education programmes for
divorcing and separating parents have been offered for decades. In South
Africa the law has made provision for such education programmes. This study
concerns the efficacy in a South African context of an already existing
education programme for divorcing and separating parents, called Children in
the Middle (CIM). This programme is widely used in the United States, has
been widely researched, and is based on foundational theory. There are many
factors that determine the outcome of divorce for children. There is a need to
assist families in order to ensure the most favourable outcome. It is
considered to be of the utmost importance to impart information to parents
and build their awareness and skills.
This research concluded that despite the lack of statistical evidence, the
programme had many benefits for the participants, based on the feedback
received from them. Parents had become sensitised to their children’s needs.
Based on the qualitative data and attendance, it was concluded that psychoeducation
at the time of divorce is a much-needed resource for parents in
South Africa.
Psycho-education for divorcing parents does not replace litigation, mediation
or therapy; it should be offered as a mandatory alternative or an addition to
the family at the time of divorce and should lead the process. The research
has therefore proposed that psycho-education programmes should be
mandatory for all divorcing parents regardless of the process that their divorce
follows, as although there is no guarantee of outcome, it adds an extra
dimension that may lead to a more favourable outcome and that parents are
more likely to act in the best interests of their children.