Facilitating postdivorce adjustment through communication skill training

Date

1979-08

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of communication skills training on adjustment to divorce and separation. Divorcees were assigned to either the experimental group (N=13) or the control group (N=15). Divorcees in the experimental group received 15 hours of training in interpersonal communication skills along with didactic information regarding various aspects of the postdivorce and adjustment process. Divorcees in the control group received no treatment. Results indicated that the experimental group, relative to the control group, significantly increased in overall divorce adjustment and in empathy skill. Although the experimental group, relative to the control group, showed some increase in self esteem, the results were not conclusive. No significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group in either perceived social support or self-disclosure skill. Discussion centered on the advantages of structured skills training as a strategy for intervention in the postdivorce adjustment process.

Description

Keywords

Divorced women, Interpersonal communication, Group relations training, Divorce

Citation