Exploring interventions to support child well-being after parental divorce

A scoping review

Bibliographic Data

ID21633957
AuthorsSahar Esmaeili (0009-0002-9465-615X, University of Calgary), Beth Archer-Kuhn (0000-0003-4114-7060, University of Calgary), M Latifian (0000-0002-7595-2087, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, corresponding author)
Year2026
Pages1-19
Publication date2026-06-02
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Family Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1052-2158 • E-ISSN: 1540-4072
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10522158.2026.2653517
OpenAlexW7163162864
LanguageEN
References cited44

Parental separation and divorce are common family transitions that can affect children’s emotional, social, and developmental well-being. These challenges are particularly pronounced in high-conflict separations, especially when disputes escalate into judicial proceedings, where prolonged parental conflict and litigation may heighten risks for children. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of interventions designed to enhance the well-being of children affected by parental divorce. Using a scoping review methodology, we systematically examined the existing literature on programs targeting child well-being following parental divorce. A systematic search of EBSCO, PubMed, ERIC, Scopus, and Google Scholar yielded 131 unique records, of which 23 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. The findings indicate that interventions primarily target known mediators of risk, such as parenting difficulties and family conflict, highlighting the importance of effective co-parenting and family dynamics. However, there is a notable scarcity of rigorous evaluations assessing the long-term effectiveness of these interventions across diverse cultural and temporal contexts. This review identifies strengths and limitations within existing programs and highlights significant gaps in literature, particularly regarding the need for more comprehensive evaluations and greater integration of children’s perspectives

Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Social support · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child Abuse and Trauma · Family Dynamics and Relationships

Tools

Open DOI