One in four children in Germany is affected by the separation of their parents. If not dealt with constructively, relationship conflicts run the risk of becoming chronic, putting a strain on the children involved and often leading to separation, which in turn is often accompanied by many questions, uncertainties and sometimes conflicts. Long-term relationship problems and, in particular, separations are associated with emotional, health, social and financial costs for parents and children. The need for counselling is correspondingly high. While online resources cannot replace face-to-face counselling, they can provide support and lower the threshold for seeking face-to-face counselling.

With this in mind, the joint project "Mastering conflict and separation: everyday help, counselling and conflict resolution" developed the online platform STARK from 2021 to 2024. The interdisciplinary team included experts from the German Youth Institute, the University Hospital of Heidelberg, the Georg August University of Göttingen, the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, the University Hospital of Ulm and the University of Ulm.

Since 1 November 2022, free information on all aspects of relationship crises, separation and divorce has been available at www.stark-familie.info for couples, separating parents and children and young people from separating families.

The website offers couples with relationship problems information, practical knowledge and exercises to strengthen their relationship; provides information on the financial and legal consequences of separation; and offers separating families psychological knowledge and strategies for coping with grief and stress in parents and children. For example, the website provides information on how separating parents can communicate and work together, how they can talk to their children about the separation, and what care arrangements and parenting models are appropriate for them.

In addition, a free online training course, PAARweise, has been available since the fall of 2008 for couples in crisis. Participants are provided with psychoeducational content and constructive strategies that can be tried out through exercises.

A separate section of STARK is designed for counseling professionals, with overviews of STARK content and examples of how to use STARK in counseling. In addition, STARK materials can be found in a separate DOWNLOAD section. These include videos and audios (to watch or listen to together during counseling sessions) and informational materials to share with clients.

The STARKplus follow-up project will further develop the online platform and develop strategies for sustainability. Three goals are being addressed: (1) to continuously update STARK content, (2) to increase STARK's reach among couples, parents, children and youth, and professionals, and (3) to develop strategies to make the website sustainable.

STARKplus is being implemented in four subprojects:

  • Subproject 1 at the German Youth Institute aims to raise awareness of the online platform and promote its integration into counseling practice. A web-based quantitative survey of professionals will be used to systematically collect feedback on the content of the website and the further needs of professionals in using the online platform. The feedback from the field will then be used to supplement and optimize the area for professionals.
  • In subproject 2, legislative changes in family law and new case law will be incorporated into the "Thinking through separation legally" section. The team at the University of Göttingen, led by Prof. Dr. Eva Schuhmann, is responsible for this subproject.
  • In subproject 3, the section "Thinking through separation economically" on the basis of current empirical data and changes in the law. The team at the German Youth Institute, led by PD Dr.Christina Boll, is responsible for this subproject.
  • The University of Ulm team led by Prof. Dr. Harald Baumeister (subproject 4) will continue to be responsible for the technical implementation and maintenance of the website. In order to review and improve the dissemination and implementation strategies, this subproject also conducts ongoing analyses of usage (e.g., click numbers) and reach.

Contact

Stefanie Amberg
Stefanie Amberg
+49 89 62306-402
Deutsches Jugendinstitut
Nockherstr. 2
81541 Munich

Additional Information