Effectiveness of Children of Divorce Intervention Program (CODIP) on externalized and internalized problems in children of divorce

Abstract: Divorce is one of the most stressful events in children and parents'' life. Divorce is a major change and reorganization of life that influences children`s adjustment over time. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Children of Divorce Intervention Program (COPID) on decreasing internalized and externalized problems in children. In this experimental research، with pre-test post-tests with control group، twenty five 10-12 years old children from divorced families in Kashmar were selected as sample. For 13 children in experimental group 15 sessions of CODIP was administrated in 3 days per week and 5 consecutive weeks، but 12 children in control group received no program. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was the research measurement tool. Results showed that CODIP has significant effect on decreasing externalized problems; but no significant effect on internalized problems in children from divorced families. Since children of divorced parents are more at risk of behavior problems، attention to group programs and teaching problem solving skills is important for this children and empowering them in life. In addition to reducing some problems، the skills that were taught are in such a way children and their parents can easily implement them in the real life and benefit from their positive effects.