1. Objectifs

Intentions :
The purpose of this study is «to assess the efficacy of [a] psycho-legal protocol who was adapted for high-conflict families. More precisely, [this] study aims to (1) draw a portrait of these families in terms of coparental functioning, mental health issues, communication and conflict (hostility, triangulation) and (2) assess the changes between pre and post treatment on these above variables.» (p. 661)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
The sample consisted of 16 parents (8 families) who were involved in the Parentalité – Conflit – Résolution (PCR) protocol. They «were recruited and assigned to the protocol by the coordinating judge, president of the Family Chamber in the judicial district of the Superior Court in Quebec City. The parents involved […] were from 26 to 50 years old [and] had been separated for a mean of 5.47 years […].» (p. 661)

Instruments :
Questionnaires

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

According to the analysis, «[a]t their entry into the protocol, parents showed major coparenting issues, especially regarding triangulation of the child in the parental conflict. Parents reported a poor coparenting relationship, a high level of negative communication, a low level of trust in the other parent and some conflicts in front of the children. […].» (p. 665) Moreover, authors «observe an improvement of the coparenting dynamic after their participation in the PCR protocol. Notably, both mothers and fathers observe a diminution of the child’s triangulation through the parental conflict. In addition, both parents report an improvement in their behaviors that could lead to their children feeling caught in the conflict. However, they report different changes according to the coparental relationship. Indeed, mothers reported a better coparenting relationship, while fathers rather reported less negative communication and that the child was less exposed to triangulation behaviors. The results did not allow [authors] to make an in-depth analysis of this difference, but they led [them] to think that mothers and fathers have individual characteristics that seemed to have various influences on how the program impacted the relationship with the other parent.» (p. 666)