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Research

Evidence Based Model of Care

The Repair Project, a program of DRW, is grounded in evidence-based research and clinical best practices. High-conflict relationships require more than insight—they need structure, skill-building, and accountability to create lasting change.

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This model draws from research-supported approaches including CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care, and family systems theory. These frameworks focus on improving emotional regulation, communication, and awareness of patterns that drive conflict.

 

By using a structured, research-informed process of deconstruction and reconstruction, The Repair Project supports meaningful, practical change. Grounding this work in research ensures services are effective, ethical, and aligned with current standards of care.

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 Foundational High-Conflict Conceptualization

Landmark Research

  • Bill Eddy

    • “High Conflict People in Legal Disputes” (2006)

    • Introduces patterns: blame, all-or-nothing thinking, unmanaged emotions, extreme behaviors

  • Janet R. Johnston

    • Johnston, J.R. (1994, 2000, 2005)

    • “High-conflict divorce” research defining persistent conflict vs typical divorce

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Impact of Conflict on Children

Landmark Researchers

  • E. Mark Cummings

  • Patrick T. Davies

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Key Articles:

  • Cummings, E.M., & Davies, P.T. (2010)

    • Marital Conflict and Children: An Emotional Security Perspective

    • ➤ Found that emotional security is the central mechanism linking conflict to child outcomes

  • Davies, P.T., & Cummings, E.M. (1994)

    • “Marital conflict and child adjustment: An emotional security hypothesis”

    • ➤ Children’s distress is driven by perceived threat, not just exposure

  • Harold, G.T., & Sellers, R. (2018)

    • “Interparental conflict and youth psychopathology”

    • ➤ Strong link to anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues

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High-Conflict Co-Parenting & Divorce

Key Articles:

  • Johnston, J.R., Roseby, V., & Kuehnle, K. (2009)

    • In the Name of the Child

    • ➤ High-conflict families often:

      • Entrench in blame

      • Struggle with co-parenting communication

      • Pull children into conflict

  • Kelly, J.B. (2007)

    • “Children’s living arrangements following separation and divorce”

    • ➤ Emphasizes structured parenting plans and reduced exposure to conflict

  • Emery, R.E. (2012)

    • Renegotiating Family Relationships

    • ➤ Highlights difference between legal resolution vs emotional resolution

 
Emotional Regulation & Neurobiology
Landmark Researchers

  • Daniel J. Siegel

    • The Developing Mind

    • ➤ Explains:

      • Amygdala hijack

      • Loss of prefrontal functioning during conflict

  • Joseph LeDoux

    • Research on threat detection and emotional reactivity

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Attachment & Relationship Dynamics
Landmark Researchers

  • John Bowlby

  • Mary Ainsworth

  • Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P.R. (2007)

    • Attachment in Adulthood

    • ➤ Links insecure attachment to:

      • Conflict escalation

      • Withdrawal

      • Emotional dysregulation

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Conflict Cycles & Communication Breakdown
Landmark Researcher

  • Gottman, J.M. (1994, 1999)

    • Why Marriages Succeed or Fail

    • Identified:

      • Criticism

      • Defensiveness

      • Contempt

      • Stonewalling

 These map directly onto high-conflict interaction patterns

 
Evidence-Based Interventions

🔹 DBT (Emotion Regulation)

  • Marsha M. Linehan

    • Linehan (1993)

    • ➤ Supports:

      • Distress tolerance

      • Emotion regulation

      • Interpersonal effectiveness

🔹 CBT (Cognitive Distortions)

  • Aaron T. Beck

    • Beck (1976)

    • ➤ Identifies:

      • Cognitive distortions driving conflict

🔹 Family Systems

  • Murray Bowen

    • ➤ Concepts:

      • Triangulation

      • Emotional reactivity

      • Differentiation

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 Why Insight Alone Isn’t Enough

  • Prochaska & DiClemente (1983)

    • Stages of Change Model

    • ➤ Behavior change requires:

      • Action + repetition, not just awareness

  • Kahneman, D. (2011)

    • Thinking, Fast and Slow

    • ➤ Emotional (fast) system dominates under stress

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Structural & Court-Informed Approaches

  • AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts) Guidelines

    • Emphasize:

      • Structured parenting plans

      • Reduced direct conflict

      • Child-focused interventions

  • Drozd, L., & Olesen, N. (2004)

    • “Is it abuse, alienation, or high conflict?”

    • ➤ Differentiates dynamics in high-conflict cases​

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Repair Project Phases Research Alignment

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Awareness- Psychoeducation (CBT, attachment)

Accountability- Behavior change theory

Deconstruction- Family systems + cognitive restructuring

Reconstruction- Skills training (DBT, communication)

Scaffolding- Behavioral rehearsal + structure

Stabilization- Maintenance (relapse prevention models)

© 2035 by the Repair Project

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