In this pilot study, 49 parents who had been involved in a custody and/or access assessment several years previously responded to a structured telephone survey. Information about eventual settlement processes, custody and access arrangements, satisfaction with the clinical assessment, children's adjustment, family relationships, and ongoing family problems was gathered an average of two and one half years after the assessment. Sole custody arrangements evidenced the greatest degree of stability from assessment to follow‐up, while joint custody arrangements were more unstable. Visitation was not occurring for a substantial number of children (35%) at follow‐up, even when it was recommended on a regular and frequent basis. Although parents reported little or no ongoing contact with their ex‐spouse, they also reported continuing concerns and new problems with respect to the other parent or their children. The impact of this form of “parallel parenting” is discussed within the context of high‐conflict, multiproblem families.

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Background. Adolescents with depression often experience relationship problems with their caregivers, which predict poorer treatment outcomes. Personalizing interventions by targeting factors associated with poor treatment outcomes may enhance the effectiveness of interventions. We report the development and initial evaluation of an intervention designed to target caregiver-adolescent relationship problems in the context of adolescent depression.Methods. Following a literature search to identify established caregiver interventions, we developed a new group intervention for caregivers through an iterative process including 6 rounds of the group with n = 55 caregivers of adolescents age 13-18 in the context of an integrated care pathway for adolescent depression. Caregivers rated their family functioning at the beginning and end of the program and provided anonymous satisfaction ratings. Enrolment and attendance data were examined. Youth with lived experience of depression and their caregivers provided input that was incorporated in the final version of the intervention. Results. The final intervention consists of 8 weekly, 1.5 hour group sessions, delivered face-to-face, addressing: psychoeducation, the cognitive-behavioural model and caregiving, positive caregiving, listening and validation, expressing emotions effectively, and problem solving. Reach (59%), attendance (63%), and satisfaction (M = 92%) supported the feasibility of the program. Caregivers reported significant improvements in family functioning.Discussion. A group intervention is acceptable to caregivers of adolescents with depression and may be associated with improved family functioning. Further research is needed, including a randomized controlled trial to test effects of the intervention on various dimensions of the caregiver-youth relationship and on youth depression outcomes.

BackgroundAdolescents with depression often experience relationship problems with their caregivers, which predict poorer treatment outcomes. Personalising interventions by targeting factors associated with poor treatment outcomes may enhance the effectiveness of interventions. We report the development and initial evaluation of an intervention designed to target caregiver‐adolescent relationship problems in the context of adolescent depression.MethodsFollowing a literature search to identify established caregiver interventions, we developed a new group intervention for caregivers through an iterative process including six rounds of the group with n = 53 caregivers of adolescents age 13–18 in the context of an integrated care pathway for adolescent depression. Caregivers rated their family functioning at the beginning and end of the program and provided anonymous satisfaction ratings. Enrolment and attendance data were examined. Youth with lived experience of depression and their caregivers provided input that was incorporated in the final version of the intervention.ResultsThe final intervention consists of 8 weekly, 1.5 h group sessions, delivered face‐to‐face, addressing: psychoeducation, the cognitive‐behavioural model and caregiving, positive caregiving, listening and validation, expressing emotions effectively, and problem solving. Reach (56%), attendance (M = 63%, SD = 31%), and satisfaction (M = 92%; SD = 7%) supported the feasibility of the program. Caregivers reported significant improvements in family functioning, t(21) = 2.68, p = .014, dz = 0.56 [95% CI 0.11–1.0].DiscussionA group intervention is acceptable to caregivers of adolescents with depression and may be associated with improved family functioning. Further research is needed, including a randomised controlled trial to test effects of the intervention on various dimensions of the caregiver‐youth relationship and on youth depression outcomes.