Human-centered design of a digital coping intervention for children experiencing post-separation interparental...

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Digital Intervention Design
• Human-Centered Design (HCD)

Background:

• Children exposed to high interparental conflict (IPC) after separation face increased risks for mental health, behavioral, and academic issues.
• Existing coping interventions need optimization for broader reach, focusing on effectiveness, cost, scalability, and user engagement.
• Digital interventions offer a promising avenue for accessible support, but require careful design to meet user needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply a human-centered design (HCD) approach to develop a digital coping intervention for children exposed to IPC.
• To evaluate the acceptability, usability, and contextual fit of an early prototype intervention through stakeholder feedback.
• To identify design priorities and areas for refinement for a digital tool supporting children navigating parental conflict.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews were conducted with family law professionals, separated parents, and children.
• Design surveys and user testing sessions were performed with children, parents, and professionals.
• Data analysis involved deductive and inductive coding and thematic analysis to inform prototype development.

Main Results:

• Stakeholders emphasized the need for a trustworthy, engaging, developmentally appropriate, accessible, safe, and private intervention.
• Key desired features included fostering hope, reassurance, validation, and empowerment for children coping with IPC.
• User testing indicated high perceived usability and acceptability, with specific feedback on clarity, pacing, and customization.

Conclusions:

• The study provides an empirical basis for developing a digital coping intervention to improve mental health outcomes for children exposed to IPC.
• Human-centered design methods effectively align intervention design with the needs and contexts of end-users.
• This approach is valuable for creating court-adjacent prevention programs that support children's well-being during parental separation.