How Did It Work? Who Did It Work For? Mediation in the Context of a Moderated Prevention Effect for Children of Divorce

Overview

Journal J Consult Clin Psychol

Specialty Psychology

Date 2004 Aug 11

PMID 15301646

Citations 87

Authors

Jenn-Yun Tein

Irwin N Sandler

David P MacKinnon

Sharlene A Wolchik

Affiliations

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Abstract

This study presents a reanalysis of data from an effective preventive intervention for children from divorced families to test mediation of program effects. The study involved 157 children, age 9-12 years, who were randomly assigned to a parenting program or a literature control condition. Program effects to reduce posttest internalizing problems were mediated through improvement in mother-child relationship quality. Program effects to reduce externalizing problems at posttest and 6 months were mediated through improvement in posttest parental methods of discipline and mother-child relationship quality. The study also describes a new methodology to test mediation of Program x Baseline Status interactions. Analyses demonstrate mediation effects primarily for children who began the program with poorer scores on discipline, mother-child relationship quality, and externalizing problems.

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