Factorial Optimization Trial to Test Effects of Coping Intervention Components

Promoting Effective Coping by Children Exposed to Post-divorce Interparental Conflict to Reduce Risk for Mental Health Problems

This study will identify components for inclusion in a coping intervention package to reduce mental health problems among children exposed to high interparental conflict after parental separation/divorce. Reappraisal, distraction, and relaxation coping strategies are related to fewer mental health problems among children, making intervention components based on these strategies key candidates for inclusion in an optimized coping intervention. The primary aim is to experimentally assess the main and interactive effects of three digital intervention coping components (reappraisal, distraction, relaxation) on children's coping efficacy, emotional security, and internalizing and externalizing problems. Secondary aims are to assess indirect effects of the intervention components on children's coping efficacy, emotional security, and internalizing and externalizing problems through their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions to post-separation/divorce interparental conflict events.

A randomized and counterbalanced 2x2x2 factorial trial (N = 144 children, ages 9-12) will be conducted to assess the individual effects of the three digital coping intervention components. The three components to be tested will be: (1) Reappraisal (No vs. Yes), (2) Distraction (No vs. Yes), (3) Relaxation (No vs. Yes). Components that meet a priori thresholds for meaningful change will be combined to form an intervention package that will be evaluated in a subsequent randomized controlled trial.

optimization, parental divorce/separation, interparental conflict, adaptive coping, child mental health

Participants will complete an educational digital module and a skills-based digital module that teaches reappraisal coping.

Participants will complete an educational digital module and a skills-based digital module that teaches distraction coping.

Participants will complete an educational digital module and a skills-based digital module that teaches relaxation coping.

Participants will complete an educational digital module and two skills-based digital modules, one that teaches reappraisal coping and one that teaches distraction coping.

Participants will complete an educational digital module and two skills-based digital modules, one that teaches reappraisal coping and one that teaches relaxation coping.

Participants will complete an educational digital module and two skills-based digital modules, one that teaches distraction coping and one that teaches relaxation coping.

Participants will complete an educational digital module and three skills-based digital modules, one that teaches reappraisal coping, one that teaches distraction coping, and one that teaches relaxation coping.

Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale - Short Form (SIS-SF; Holt et al., 2020) 17 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = not at all true, 3 = very true for me) higher scores indicate better outcome

Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale - Short Form (SIS-SF; Holt et al., 2020) 17 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = not at all true, 3 = very true for me) higher scores indicate better outcome

Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale - Short Form (SIS-SF; Holt et al., 2020) 17 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = not at all true, 3 = very true for me) higher scores indicate better outcome

Security in the Family System Scale (SIFS; Forman & Davies, 2005) 24 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = completely disagree, 3 = completely agree). higher scores indicate better outcome

Security in the Family System Scale (SIFS; Forman & Davies, 2005) 24 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = completely disagree, 3 = completely agree). higher scores indicate better outcome

Security in the Family System Scale (SIFS; Forman & Davies, 2005) 24 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = completely disagree, 3 = completely agree). higher scores indicate better outcome

Coping Efficacy Scale (CES; Sandler et al., 2000) 7 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = not at all, 3 = very) higher scores indicate better outcome

Coping Efficacy Scale (CES; Sandler et al., 2000) 7 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = not at all, 3 = very) higher scores indicate better outcome

Coping Efficacy Scale (CES; Sandler et al., 2000) 7 items rated on 4 point scale (0 = not at all, 3 = very) higher scores indicate better outcome

Brief Problem Monitor (BPM; parent and child report) 6 items rated on a 3 point scale (0= not true, 2 = very true) higher scores indicate worse outcome

Brief Problem Monitor (BPM; parent and child report) 6 items rated on a 3 point scale (0= not true, 2 = very true) higher scores indicate worse outcome

Brief Problem Monitor (BPM; parent and child report) 6 items rated on a 3 point scale (0= not true, 2 = very true) higher scores indicate worse outcome

Brief Problem Monitor (BPM; parent and child report) 7 items rated on a 3 point scale (0= not true, 2 = very true) higher scores indicate worse outcome

Brief Problem Monitor (BPM; parent and child report) 7 items rated on a 3 point scale (0= not true, 2 = very true) higher scores indicate worse outcome

Brief Problem Monitor (BPM; parent and child report) 7 items rated on a 3 point scale (0= not true, 2 = very true) higher scores indicate worse outcome

Responses to Stress Questionnaire for Parent Conflict Involuntary Engagement subscale (RSQ-PC; Connor-Smith et al., 2000; 3 items)

RSQ-PC primary control, secondary control, and disengagement coping subscales (Connor-Smith et al., 2000; 15-18 items).

Inclusion Criteria: child between ages 9-12 whose parents are separated or divorced child and one parent are fluent in English a parent with sufficient contact (i.e., at least 4 overnights and/or 12 daytime visits per month) with child who is willing to complete study assessments and has legal right to give permission for the child to participate in research child-report of high exposure to IPC (mean Z score ≥ 40th percentile on the two child report measures of IPC; score standardization based on data from 559 youth whose parents participated in an experimental parenting program) elevated internalizing or externalizing problems (T score in the borderline clinical range according to either child or parent report on the BPM). Exclusion Criteria: in active therapy score ≥ 99th percentile on either internalizing and externalizing problems subscale endorse suicidality (will be ineligible for the study and referred for treatment)

Study results will be shared through presentations at conferences and submissions in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, after taking all steps necessary to minimize possible re-identification of confidential data, I will make data, codebooks, and analysis scripts available to appropriate parties to verify findings and conclusions.