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• 1. [Article] The negative effects of divorce on the behavior of children

  Our study is concerned with the effects of filing for divorce on the behavior of children. We are interested in the adjustment of the child to the changes which occur during separation and divorce, and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The negative effects of divorce on the behavior of children Author: Hawkins, David, Lloyd, Karen Year: 1976 Our study is concerned with the effects of filing for divorce on the behavior of children. We are interested in the adjustment of the child to the changes which occur during separation and divorce, and we maintain the attitude that the lives of children are affected in some way when a marriage or family unit dissolves. A generally accepted belief is that divorce produces negative consequences in the lives of children as shown in their behavior. However, recently a number of studies have suggested that divorce need not be a negative experience, at least to the degree most people feel it is. Factors that influence the effects on children include: the intensity of the conflict between the divorcing partners; the degree to which parents demonstrate concern for the children and help them prepare for the separation; the child’s attachment to the custodial parent; and the level of maturity and general personality characteristics of the child. The primary goal of the study presented here is to determine the extent to which negative behavior changes in children are visible immediately following a divorce. Additionally we wish to describe those changes and determine their frequency. Finally, we wish to relate such changes to certain to certain social variables including economic status and age and sex of the children. Title: The negative effects of divorce on the behavior of children Author: Hawkins, David, Lloyd, Karen Year: 1976 Our study is concerned with the effects of filing for divorce on the behavior of children. We are interested in the adjustment of the child to the changes which occur during separation and divorce, and we maintain the attitude that the lives of children are affected in some way when a marriage or family unit dissolves. A generally accepted belief is that divorce produces negative consequences in the lives of children as shown in their behavior. However, recently a number of studies have suggested that divorce need not be a negative experience, at least to the degree most people feel it is. Factors that influence the effects on children include: the intensity of the conflict between the divorcing partners; the degree to which parents demonstrate concern for the children and help them prepare for the separation; the child’s attachment to the custodial parent; and the level of maturity and general personality characteristics of the child. The primary goal of the study presented here is to determine the extent to which negative behavior changes in children are visible immediately following a divorce. Additionally we wish to describe those changes and determine their frequency. Finally, we wish to relate such changes to certain to certain social variables including economic status and age and sex of the children. Close

• 2. [Article] A study of the incidence of divorce, religious conflict, and need and potential utilization of marital/family services among Seventh-Day Adventist couples in the North Pacific Union Conference

  The following study is designed to look at one religious group and assess some of the social service needs as seen by the study participants. Since social services cover such a broad spectrum, it was decided ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A study of the incidence of divorce, religious conflict, and need and potential utilization of marital/family services among Seventh-Day Adventist couples in the North Pacific Union Conference Author: Ringering, Fern M. Year: 1978 The following study is designed to look at one religious group and assess some of the social service needs as seen by the study participants. Since social services cover such a broad spectrum, it was decided to limit the study to marital counseling needs and related issues as seen by individual church members. Title: A study of the incidence of divorce, religious conflict, and need and potential utilization of marital/family services among Seventh-Day Adventist couples in the North Pacific Union Conference Author: Ringering, Fern M. Year: 1978 The following study is designed to look at one religious group and assess some of the social service needs as seen by the study participants. Since social services cover such a broad spectrum, it was decided to limit the study to marital counseling needs and related issues as seen by individual church members. Close

• 3. [Article] The divorce experience and its impact on the father-child relationship

  This project began with the notion that an in-depth examination of perceived changes in the parent-child relationship as reported by the noncustodial father would be both beneficial to mental health professionals ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The divorce experience and its impact on the father-child relationship Author: Coffman, Susan, Lane, Ellen, Worth, Erika Year: 1977 This project began with the notion that an in-depth examination of perceived changes in the parent-child relationship as reported by the noncustodial father would be both beneficial to mental health professionals as well as to paraprofessional groups and organizations working with divorced fathers. The authors were aware of much related research pertaining to the children of divorced parents and also the plight of divorced mothers, but felt there to be a lack of data concerning the noncustodial father and thus identified this area as an important mental health concern. Title: The divorce experience and its impact on the father-child relationship Author: Coffman, Susan, Lane, Ellen, Worth, Erika Year: 1977 This project began with the notion that an in-depth examination of perceived changes in the parent-child relationship as reported by the noncustodial father would be both beneficial to mental health professionals as well as to paraprofessional groups and organizations working with divorced fathers. The authors were aware of much related research pertaining to the children of divorced parents and also the plight of divorced mothers, but felt there to be a lack of data concerning the noncustodial father and thus identified this area as an important mental health concern. Close

• 4. [Article] Pretesting a questionnaire at the Solo Center on the impact of divorce on children and parents

  This study was concerned with the impact of divorce on parents and children. The writer spent a minimum of sixteen hours per week from September, 1974 to May, 1975 in field work at the Solo Center, as ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Pretesting a questionnaire at the Solo Center on the impact of divorce on children and parents Author: Paetzhold, Shirley Anne Year: 1975 This study was concerned with the impact of divorce on parents and children. The writer spent a minimum of sixteen hours per week from September, 1974 to May, 1975 in field work at the Solo Center, as part of the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Portland State University. Multiple areas of interest for research at the Center narrowed to a focus on the closely interwoven problems of child custody, child support, and visitation. Title: Pretesting a questionnaire at the Solo Center on the impact of divorce on children and parents Author: Paetzhold, Shirley Anne Year: 1975 This study was concerned with the impact of divorce on parents and children. The writer spent a minimum of sixteen hours per week from September, 1974 to May, 1975 in field work at the Solo Center, as part of the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Portland State University. Multiple areas of interest for research at the Center narrowed to a focus on the closely interwoven problems of child custody, child support, and visitation. Close

• 5. [Article] Parental perceptions of behavioral changes in children following divorce

  This research was undertaken primarily to describe the parental perceptions of the effects of divorce upon the children age eighteen or younger of the first married couples filing for divorce in Clackamas ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Parental perceptions of behavioral changes in children following divorce Author: Bork, Kenneth W. Year: 1978 This research was undertaken primarily to describe the parental perceptions of the effects of divorce upon the children age eighteen or younger of the first married couples filing for divorce in Clackamas County, Oregon during 1975. Title: Parental perceptions of behavioral changes in children following divorce Author: Bork, Kenneth W. Year: 1978 This research was undertaken primarily to describe the parental perceptions of the effects of divorce upon the children age eighteen or younger of the first married couples filing for divorce in Clackamas County, Oregon during 1975. Close

• 6. [Article] Continuance vs. discontinuance in family counseling

  The study was designed to examine the social workers' and clients’ perceptions of change in the treatment process; specifically to examine the question of why clients discontinue service prior to planful ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Continuance vs. discontinuance in family counseling Author: Anderson, Katherine, Dudley, Alice, Rocks, Mayetta Year: 1971 The study was designed to examine the social workers' and clients’ perceptions of change in the treatment process; specifically to examine the question of why clients discontinue service prior to planful termination. Also, the authors attempted to assess the client's perception of gain and the worker's assessment of gain. Significant Findings Seventy-two per cent of the clients who responded to the questionnaire felt they had been helped. In those cases where the client indicated he had received no help or that his situation became worse, the authors found that the client often indicated that his spouse was unable or unwilling to participate in treatment. These clients also often indicated that they had divorced. The client tended to rate the gains he made from treatment slightly higher than the worker rated them. The inability or unwillingness of the spouse to participate in the treatment process was seen as an important reason for discontinuance before six interviews were completed. The client seemed more likely to indicate fee as a reason for termination of service after six interviews. Clients who paid no fee were more likely to terminate in an unplanned manner before six interviews. If the client paid any fee, his termination was more likely to be planful. Recommendations and Suggestions for Further Research The authors recommend, as in the study done by Dr. Dan Jennings, that any questionnaire mailed out by the agency in the future be a more immediate follow-up to treatment, that is, there is a need for further exploration of the optimum time for follow-up study. A future questionnaire might be returned to the individual practitioner so that he could evaluate the service. Also a planned follow-up of this sort might result in the practitioner reaching out to the client to re-involve him in the treatment process if the client so indicated the need on the returned questionnaire. Recommendations and Suggestions for Further Research The authors recommend that workers indicate clearly on the statistical cards which members of the family were seen in order to facilitate and expedite data gathering. The statistical cards give assessment of service in terms of gain only. The authors recommend that because service is not always gainful, that there be a place on the statistical card to so indicate this. The situation may be so deteriorated that in the worker's assessment there is no ability on the part of the client for motivation, capacity and opportunity for change. On the basis of the data derived from the questionnaire, the authors recommend that further exploratory study be done in the following areas: (a) In the cases where the spouse is unable or unwilling to participate in the treatment process. (b) In the cases where the clients who paid no fee were more likely to terminate unplanned and before six interviews. The authors recommend, as in the study done by Dr. Dan Jennings, that any questionnaire mailed out by the agency in the future be a more immediate follow-up to treatment, that is, there is a need for further exploration of the optimum time for follow-up study. A future questionnaire might be returned to the individual practitioner so that he could evaluate the service. Also a planned follow-up of this sort might result in the practitioner reaching out to the client to re-involve him in the treatment process if the client so indicated the need on the returned questionnaire. Findings in this study showed that the critical period for clients continuance seems to be within the first five interviews. The author recommend that further exploratory study be done on this critical period of treatment. Title: Continuance vs. discontinuance in family counseling Author: Anderson, Katherine, Dudley, Alice, Rocks, Mayetta Year: 1971 The study was designed to examine the social workers' and clients’ perceptions of change in the treatment process; specifically to examine the question of why clients discontinue service prior to planful termination. Also, the authors attempted to assess the client's perception of gain and the worker's assessment of gain. Significant Findings Seventy-two per cent of the clients who responded to the questionnaire felt they had been helped. In those cases where the client indicated he had received no help or that his situation became worse, the authors found that the client often indicated that his spouse was unable or unwilling to participate in treatment. These clients also often indicated that they had divorced. The client tended to rate the gains he made from treatment slightly higher than the worker rated them. The inability or unwillingness of the spouse to participate in the treatment process was seen as an important reason for discontinuance before six interviews were completed. The client seemed more likely to indicate fee as a reason for termination of service after six interviews. Clients who paid no fee were more likely to terminate in an unplanned manner before six interviews. If the client paid any fee, his termination was more likely to be planful. Recommendations and Suggestions for Further Research The authors recommend, as in the study done by Dr. Dan Jennings, that any questionnaire mailed out by the agency in the future be a more immediate follow-up to treatment, that is, there is a need for further exploration of the optimum time for follow-up study. A future questionnaire might be returned to the individual practitioner so that he could evaluate the service. Also a planned follow-up of this sort might result in the practitioner reaching out to the client to re-involve him in the treatment process if the client so indicated the need on the returned questionnaire. Recommendations and Suggestions for Further Research The authors recommend that workers indicate clearly on the statistical cards which members of the family were seen in order to facilitate and expedite data gathering. The statistical cards give assessment of service in terms of gain only. The authors recommend that because service is not always gainful, that there be a place on the statistical card to so indicate this. The situation may be so deteriorated that in the worker's assessment there is no ability on the part of the client for motivation, capacity and opportunity for change. On the basis of the data derived from the questionnaire, the authors recommend that further exploratory study be done in the following areas: (a) In the cases where the spouse is unable or unwilling to participate in the treatment process. (b) In the cases where the clients who paid no fee were more likely to terminate unplanned and before six interviews. The authors recommend, as in the study done by Dr. Dan Jennings, that any questionnaire mailed out by the agency in the future be a more immediate follow-up to treatment, that is, there is a need for further exploration of the optimum time for follow-up study. A future questionnaire might be returned to the individual practitioner so that he could evaluate the service. Also a planned follow-up of this sort might result in the practitioner reaching out to the client to re-involve him in the treatment process if the client so indicated the need on the returned questionnaire. Findings in this study showed that the critical period for clients continuance seems to be within the first five interviews. The author recommend that further exploratory study be done on this critical period of treatment. Close

• 7. [Article] A Study of the Legal Aid Family Law Center and its Clients, by Cynthia Ann Thomas [and] Susan Marie Vail

  The family is the basic unit in our society. When there is a breakdown in this unit, specifically in the marital relationship, the effect upon the husband, wife, and children can be devastating in terms ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Study of the Legal Aid Family Law Center and its Clients, by Cynthia Ann Thomas [and] Susan Marie Vail Author: Thomas, Cynthia Ann, Vail, Susan Marie Year: 1972 The family is the basic unit in our society. When there is a breakdown in this unit, specifically in the marital relationship, the effect upon the husband, wife, and children can be devastating in terms of poverty, abuse, and cost to society. The frequent inability of the poor to obtain counseling and legal assistance in resolving family relationships perpetuates the social and psychological results of a poor marriage. This study is concerned with poor persons and their ability to receive both legal and counseling services for their family problems 0 Other concerns are with the questions of alternatives to divorce for the client, the effects of marital breakup on the children, and the possibility and utility for a social worker to have a role in the legal process. Title: A Study of the Legal Aid Family Law Center and its Clients, by Cynthia Ann Thomas [and] Susan Marie Vail Author: Thomas, Cynthia Ann, Vail, Susan Marie Year: 1972 The family is the basic unit in our society. When there is a breakdown in this unit, specifically in the marital relationship, the effect upon the husband, wife, and children can be devastating in terms of poverty, abuse, and cost to society. The frequent inability of the poor to obtain counseling and legal assistance in resolving family relationships perpetuates the social and psychological results of a poor marriage. This study is concerned with poor persons and their ability to receive both legal and counseling services for their family problems 0 Other concerns are with the questions of alternatives to divorce for the client, the effects of marital breakup on the children, and the possibility and utility for a social worker to have a role in the legal process. Close

• 8. [Article] Postdivorce parental roles: a descriptive study

  Divorce is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon in American society. Its occurrence is increasing both in absolute and relative numbers, and also in its involvement of minor children. As will be ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Postdivorce parental roles: a descriptive study Author: Congleton, Victor R., Londos, Lisa Christina Year: 1976 Divorce is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon in American society. Its occurrence is increasing both in absolute and relative numbers, and also in its involvement of minor children. As will be demonstrated below, very little is actually known about the process of divorce or about its impact on the members of the family. Of particular concern is the effect of divorce on the children invo1ved, and the decisions and practice of the divorcing parents regarding their subsequent parenting relationship to the children. The authors of this report intend to study a random sample of divorcing couples and to derive a descriptive analysis of their perceptions of the proper role of the noncustodial parent (usually the father) in regard to the child rearing process following separation and divorce. We will work with that portion of available data for which we have information from both parents in the divorcing family. Particular attention will be paid to issues of congruence or noncongruence in perceptions between the two members of the coparental couple (including each member's judgement of his/ her partner's perceptions of the issues. We believe that the ability of the divorcing parents to provide a stable and cooperative relationship in their parental roles is very important for the children to be assisted in adjusting to the divorce. Given this assumption the extent of congruence or noncongruence in the perceptions of the parents about the role of the noncustodial parent in postdivorce child rearing may be very important in determining the degree of cooperation between them and the subsequent ease of adjustment of the children to the new family role relationships. Our data will be taken from questionnaires and oral interviews with a random sample of divorcing couples, administered very soon after the official filing for the divorce. Longitudinal studies are planned to follow the subjects through the divorce process for as long as eighteen months after filing. These subsequent studies will not be reported here. Title: Postdivorce parental roles: a descriptive study Author: Congleton, Victor R., Londos, Lisa Christina Year: 1976 Divorce is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon in American society. Its occurrence is increasing both in absolute and relative numbers, and also in its involvement of minor children. As will be demonstrated below, very little is actually known about the process of divorce or about its impact on the members of the family. Of particular concern is the effect of divorce on the children invo1ved, and the decisions and practice of the divorcing parents regarding their subsequent parenting relationship to the children. The authors of this report intend to study a random sample of divorcing couples and to derive a descriptive analysis of their perceptions of the proper role of the noncustodial parent (usually the father) in regard to the child rearing process following separation and divorce. We will work with that portion of available data for which we have information from both parents in the divorcing family. Particular attention will be paid to issues of congruence or noncongruence in perceptions between the two members of the coparental couple (including each member's judgement of his/ her partner's perceptions of the issues. We believe that the ability of the divorcing parents to provide a stable and cooperative relationship in their parental roles is very important for the children to be assisted in adjusting to the divorce. Given this assumption the extent of congruence or noncongruence in the perceptions of the parents about the role of the noncustodial parent in postdivorce child rearing may be very important in determining the degree of cooperation between them and the subsequent ease of adjustment of the children to the new family role relationships. Our data will be taken from questionnaires and oral interviews with a random sample of divorcing couples, administered very soon after the official filing for the divorce. Longitudinal studies are planned to follow the subjects through the divorce process for as long as eighteen months after filing. These subsequent studies will not be reported here. Close

• 9. [Article] Post-Divorce Visitation of Minor Children; An Exploratory Study

  ORS 107.100 gives the court broad powers to secure the "best interests" of minor children as third parties to a divorce. Further, the Oregon Supreme Court has ruled in Tingen vs. Tingen that the best interests ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Post-Divorce Visitation of Minor Children; An Exploratory Study Author: Griffith, Barbara, Hack, Gladys, Murphy, Eileen, Wieman, Allison, Williams, Adam, VanLydegraf, Earl, Glaudin, Vincent Year: 1970 ORS 107.100 gives the court broad powers to secure the "best interests" of minor children as third parties to a divorce. Further, the Oregon Supreme Court has ruled in Tingen vs. Tingen that the best interests of a minor child involve a complex constellation of factors pertaining to the parents, the environment, and the adjustment of the child. It has been assumed in case law that "reasonable visitation" of the minor child by the non-custodial parent is usually in the best interests of the child and is a right" of the non-custodial parent. Most judges order reasonable visitation as part of the divorce decree, especially in the vast number of default decrees. In some instances, specific visitation arrangements are ordered and custody counseling frequently helps to develop an acceptable visitation plan. The fact is, however, that little is known about reasonable visitation; the patterns which exist, the decision making process, and the impact of visitation on the best interests of the minor child. The present exploratory study examined the feasibility of selecting and interviewing a representative sample of divorced parents with minor children in order to increase our understanding of visitation by the non-custodial parent. Two sampling studies were carried out, one in the Portland metropolitan area and one in Benton County. It was found that a significant sampling bias developed in contacting divorced parents when telephone listings provided the main system for tracing subjects. This bias was less pronounced for recent divorces. Once actual contact was made with subjects, they tended to be cooperative in agreeing to be interviewed. Of those who agreed, twenty-four were selected to participate in a semi structured interview concerning visitation. It was determined on this admittedly small and biased sample, that "frequent" visitation meant about "once a week" for recently divorced couples; "twice a month", for those divorced three to five years. A striking finding was that the minor child played a significant role in determining the frequency and activities of visitation starting at about eight years of age and universally by ten years of age. There appeared to be more strife in the visitation arrangements of recently divorced parents, some of whom were still deeply involved in bids for reconciliation or vindictiveness. The paper cautions against the assumption that promoting visitation is in the best interests of the minor child. Our state of knowledge counsels modesty in our advice. In regard to further research, two broad negative conclusions were reached: a) telephone listings do not provide a feasible means of securing a representative sample; b) a cross-sectional study involving parents divorced several years, introduces an extreme sample bias. It is recommended that a short term longitudinal strategy to be followed, possibly with cases selected from the court's docket prior to the divorce decree. A one-year longitudinal study would provide significant range of visitation patterns and opportunity to evaluate the impact of remarriage on visitation in a substantial number of cases. It would be important to include some systematic description of the minor child’s adjustment in order to relate visitation to the criterion of the "best interests" of the child. Title: Post-Divorce Visitation of Minor Children; An Exploratory Study Author: Griffith, Barbara, Hack, Gladys, Murphy, Eileen, Wieman, Allison, Williams, Adam, VanLydegraf, Earl, Glaudin, Vincent Year: 1970 ORS 107.100 gives the court broad powers to secure the "best interests" of minor children as third parties to a divorce. Further, the Oregon Supreme Court has ruled in Tingen vs. Tingen that the best interests of a minor child involve a complex constellation of factors pertaining to the parents, the environment, and the adjustment of the child. It has been assumed in case law that "reasonable visitation" of the minor child by the non-custodial parent is usually in the best interests of the child and is a right" of the non-custodial parent. Most judges order reasonable visitation as part of the divorce decree, especially in the vast number of default decrees. In some instances, specific visitation arrangements are ordered and custody counseling frequently helps to develop an acceptable visitation plan. The fact is, however, that little is known about reasonable visitation; the patterns which exist, the decision making process, and the impact of visitation on the best interests of the minor child. The present exploratory study examined the feasibility of selecting and interviewing a representative sample of divorced parents with minor children in order to increase our understanding of visitation by the non-custodial parent. Two sampling studies were carried out, one in the Portland metropolitan area and one in Benton County. It was found that a significant sampling bias developed in contacting divorced parents when telephone listings provided the main system for tracing subjects. This bias was less pronounced for recent divorces. Once actual contact was made with subjects, they tended to be cooperative in agreeing to be interviewed. Of those who agreed, twenty-four were selected to participate in a semi structured interview concerning visitation. It was determined on this admittedly small and biased sample, that "frequent" visitation meant about "once a week" for recently divorced couples; "twice a month", for those divorced three to five years. A striking finding was that the minor child played a significant role in determining the frequency and activities of visitation starting at about eight years of age and universally by ten years of age. There appeared to be more strife in the visitation arrangements of recently divorced parents, some of whom were still deeply involved in bids for reconciliation or vindictiveness. The paper cautions against the assumption that promoting visitation is in the best interests of the minor child. Our state of knowledge counsels modesty in our advice. In regard to further research, two broad negative conclusions were reached: a) telephone listings do not provide a feasible means of securing a representative sample; b) a cross-sectional study involving parents divorced several years, introduces an extreme sample bias. It is recommended that a short term longitudinal strategy to be followed, possibly with cases selected from the court's docket prior to the divorce decree. A one-year longitudinal study would provide significant range of visitation patterns and opportunity to evaluate the impact of remarriage on visitation in a substantial number of cases. It would be important to include some systematic description of the minor child’s adjustment in order to relate visitation to the criterion of the "best interests" of the child. Close

• 10. [Article] A consumer evaluation of the Clackamas County Family Court Service

  This report describes a consumer evaluation study of the Clackamas County Family Court Service, a court-connected marriage and divorce counseling agency near Portland, Oregon. A questionnaire was mailed ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A consumer evaluation of the Clackamas County Family Court Service Author: Lee, Barbara E., Watne, Patricia E. Year: 1978 This report describes a consumer evaluation study of the Clackamas County Family Court Service, a court-connected marriage and divorce counseling agency near Portland, Oregon. A questionnaire was mailed to 168 individuals who had participated in counseling at the agency between November 1, 1976, and November 1, 1977. The questionnaire focused on former clients' perspectives on agency helpfulness, satisfaction with counselor’s assistance, accomplishment of agency identified objectives for counsel1ng, and suggested areas for program improvement. Title: A consumer evaluation of the Clackamas County Family Court Service Author: Lee, Barbara E., Watne, Patricia E. Year: 1978 This report describes a consumer evaluation study of the Clackamas County Family Court Service, a court-connected marriage and divorce counseling agency near Portland, Oregon. A questionnaire was mailed to 168 individuals who had participated in counseling at the agency between November 1, 1976, and November 1, 1977. The questionnaire focused on former clients' perspectives on agency helpfulness, satisfaction with counselor’s assistance, accomplishment of agency identified objectives for counsel1ng, and suggested areas for program improvement. Close