Co‐Parenting Programs: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

Objective. The present paper aims to provide an overview of the efficacy of coparenting-based programs on outcomes related to child's adjustment, parents' well-being, and quality of the coparenting, romantic, and parent-child relationships. Background.Numerous coparenting-based programs have been developed, supported by empirical findings associating quality of coparenting to the overall family well-being. However, to our knowledge, the efficacy of those programs has not yet been assessed/summarized. Method. This paper included 38 articles corresponding to 27 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)presenting 21 different programs. Three phases of analysis were conducted: (1) a methodological quality analysis (2) a meta-analysis on the efficacy of programs and (3) a review of programs' features. Results. The methodological quality analysis reveals highquality RCTs. Results support a small but significant effect of coparenting-based programs on outcomes related to parents' well-being, to the quality of the coparenting, parent-child and romantic relationships. Finally, despite the heterogeneity of the programs, some commonalities are identified, such as the use of psychoeducation and skills training. Conclusion.Our paper appears to support modest evidence of programs efficacy for both vulnerable families and families with no apparent major difficulties. Implications. Future directions in terms of study and program designs are proposed to promote high-quality research in this field.

Affective Behavior in Parent Couples Undergoing Couple Therapy: Contrasting Case Studies

“…In the context of frequent separations between couples, research efforts highlighting changes in the coparental relationship within couple therapy appear highly relevant and important (for a systematic review and meta-analysis of coparenting programs, see Eira Nunes et al, 2020 ). Literature has demonstrated broadly that coparental satisfaction is significantly linked with well-being, child rearing, and child adjustment ( Bodenmann, 2016 ).…”

Household Debt, Maternal Well-Being, and Child Adjustment in Germany: Examining the Family Stress Model by Family Structure

“…One exception was the group of single mothers, who may have served as gatekeepers by dampening the effect of potentially debt-induced detriments to their own mental well-being and conflictual coparenting relationships with a non-residential father on mothers’ harsh parenting practices (Fagan & Kaufman, 2015 ). This could indicate that investing in programs targeting the often highly conflictual coparenting relationship among post-separation parents (Eira Nunes et al, 2020 ), particularly among single parents, could relieve some degree of parental role strain from these mothers and, in turn, increase the use of more supportive parenting practices (Hakvoort et al, 2012 ).…”

A First Step to Supporting the Coparenting Relationship and Reducing Child Behaviour Problems: A Delphi Consensus Study

“…Parenting programs have strong evidence demonstrating their efficacy as interventions to improve dysfunctional parenting and reduce child behaviour problems, particularly externalising behaviours (Choi & Becher, 2019;Eira Nunes et al, 2021;Dretzke et al, 2009;Lundahl et al, 2006;Mingebach et al, 2018;Spencer et al, 2020;Thomas & Zimmer-Gembeck, 2007). Dispite large meta-analytic studies indicating that there is great variability in the effect sizes for different studies, with those including smaller sample sizes demonstrating larger effects, there are more established programs with a strong evidence base including the Incredible Years, parent child interaction therapy (PCIT), and Triple P (Mingebach et al, 2018).…”

“…The most effective programs focus on increasing positive interactions between parents and children and increasing the use of effective emotional communication skills, parental consistency, and behavioural control (Kaminski et al, 2008). A recent meta-analysis by Eira Nunes et al (2021) synthesised 38 articles that reported on programs aimed at improving coparenting, outlining findings from 27 randomized controlled trials across 23 parenting programs. It was found that there was a small but significant impact on parents' wellbeing and the quality of coparenting and romantic relationships.…”

“…Research has consistently found that coparenting plays an important role in the expression of child behaviour problems (Feinberg, 2003;Jones et al, 2018) and there is a significant need for effective interventions to improve child behavioural and emotional outcomes (Eira Nunes et al, 2021). Existing parent interventions focussing on coparenting have been found to improve family relationships, parenting efficacy, and child behaviours (Eira Nunes et al, 2021).…”