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Backhaus S, Leijten P, Jochim J, Melendez-Torres G, Gardner F. Effects over time of parenting interventions to reduce physical and emotional violence against children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 60:102003. [PMID: 37251634 PMCID: PMC10209692 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Violence against children affects over one billion children globally. International organisations promote parenting interventions as a main strategy to reduce violence against children. Parenting interventions have therefore been implemented rapidly across the globe. Yet, evidence for their longer-term effects remains unclear. We integrated global evidence to estimate effects over time of parenting interventions to reduce physical and emotional violence against children. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched 26 databases and trial registries (14 non-English: Spanish, Chinese, Farsi, Russian, Thai) and conducted an extensive grey literature search up to August 01, 2022. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of parenting interventions based on social learning theory for parents of children aged 2-10 years, without time or context restrictions. We critically appraised studies using Cochrane's Risk of Bias Tool. Data were synthesised using robust variance estimation meta-analyses. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42019141844. Findings We screened 44,411 records and included 346 RCTs. Sixty RCTs reported outcomes on physical or emotional violence. Trials were distributed across 22 countries (22% LMICs). Risk of bias was high for various domains. Outcome data ranged from 0 weeks to 2 years after the intervention, and was largely based on parent self-report. Parenting interventions reduced physical and emotional violent parenting behaviours immediately after the intervention (n = 42, k = 59; d = -0.46; 95% CI: -0.59, -0.33), at 1-6 months follow-up (n = 18, k = 31; d = -0.24; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.11) and at 7-24 months follow-up (n = 12, k = 19; d = -0.18; 95% CI: -0.34, -0.02), but effects were smaller over time. Interpretation Our findings suggest that parenting interventions can reduce physical and emotional violence against children. Effects are maintained up to 24 months follow-up, but with diminished effect sizes. With global policy interest and imminent importance, research beyond 2 years and how effects can be better sustained over time is urgently needed. Funding Student scholarship from the Economic Social Research Council, Clarendon, and Wolfson Isaiah Berlin Fund.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Backhaus
- Centre for Evidence-based Intervention, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, 32 Wellington Square, OX1 2ER, Oxford, UK
| | - Patty Leijten
- Research Institute Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, Postbus 15776, 1001 NG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janina Jochim
- Centre for Evidence-based Intervention, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, 32 Wellington Square, OX1 2ER, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Frances Gardner
- Centre for Evidence-based Intervention, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, 32 Wellington Square, OX1 2ER, Oxford, UK
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Effect of parenting intervention through "Care for Child Development Guideline" on early child development and behaviors: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:690. [PMID: 36461019 PMCID: PMC9716152 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03752-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies showed that parenting intervention programs play a core component in early child development. Considering the limited healthcare resources in developing countries, group-session intervention based on care for child development (CCD) guideline might be cost-effective. METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted at an outpatient public Pediatrics clinic in Isfahan, Iran. We included 210 pregnant women aged 18-45 years in their third trimester and followed their children for 18 months. The intervention group underwent 5 educational group sessions, each lasting for almost 45 minutes. The main outcomes were the children's development and socio-emotional behavior problems based on Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III (BSID-III) at 12 months and the Children Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at 18 months. RESULTS Overall, data of 181 children were included in the current study, including 80 in the intervention group and 101 controls. The adjusted median/mean differences between intervention and control groups using median/linear regression were not significant for all BSID-III domains except for median differences for cognitive score based on BSID-III (β (SE): - 4.98(2.31), p:0.032) and mean differences for anxiety/depression score based on CBCL (β (SE): - 2.54(1.27), p:0.046). CONCLUSION In this study, parenting interventions through CCD group sessions were significantly effective on just one subscale of children's socio-emotional behavior domains based on CBCL and one domain of children's development based on BSID-III. There might be a ceiling or floor effects for the BSID-III and CBCL assessment, respectively, leaving little room for improvement as almost all children have achieved their full developmental potential in our study. TRIAL REGISTRATION IRCT20190128042533N2, Date of registration: 16/01/2020, www.irct.ir.
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Francis T, Packer D, Baker-Henningham H. A qualitative evaluation of the mechanisms of action in an early childhood parenting programme to prevent violence against children in Jamaica. Child Care Health Dev 2022; 49:579-590. [PMID: 36308063 DOI: 10.1111/cch.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Violence against children (VAC) is a global public health problem, and parenting programmes are a key strategy to reduce VAC at home. We developed and evaluated a preschool-based, early childhood, violence prevention, parenting programme (the Irie Homes Toolbox) in Jamaica and reported significant reductions in parents' use of VAC [Effect size (ES) = -0.29] and increases in parents' positive practices (ES = 0.30). This study presents qualitative findings on the mechanisms of action of the programme. METHODS As part of a cluster randomized trial, 115 parents from nine preschools participated in the Irie Homes Toolbox parenting programme. The programme consisted of eight 90-min sessions with groups of six parents and focussed on strengthening parent-child relationships, understanding children's behaviour, using appropriate discipline strategies and understanding and managing emotions. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a stratified random sample of 28 parents (two to four parents per school) and with nine preschool teachers (one teacher per preschool). Topic guides were developed to explore participants' perspectives of the mechanisms of action of the programme. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and data were analysed using the framework approach. RESULTS The most salient direct pathways to reduced VAC by both parent and teacher reports were through parents' use of alternative strategies to manage child misbehaviour and through improved parent well-being, especially parents' self-management skills. Other factors leading to reduced VAC by parents, reported by both parents and teachers, included self-identification as an 'Irie parent', use of proactive parenting strategies and improved child behaviour. Parents reported that the main factors leading to continued use of VAC were their inconsistency in using positive discipline strategies and poor emotional self-regulation. CONCLUSION Reports from participating parents and preschool teachers indicate that contents related to parental self-management and how to use positive discipline strategies to manage child misbehaviour were important factors on the pathway to reduced VAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taja Francis
- Caribbean Institute For Health Research, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Dania Packer
- Caribbean Institute For Health Research, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Helen Baker-Henningham
- Caribbean Institute For Health Research, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.,School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
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Cuartas J, Baker-Henningham H, Cepeda A, Rey-Guerra C. The Apapacho Violence Prevention Parenting Program: Conceptual Foundations and Pathways to Scale. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:8582. [PMID: 35886432 PMCID: PMC9325014 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Violence against children (VAC) is a major global issue with long-lasting negative consequences on individuals and societies. The present study presents a review of the literature on drivers of VAC and the core components of evidence-based violence prevention programs. Moreover, it analyzes the existing services and social infrastructure in Colombia to rigorously inform the design of the Apapacho violence prevention parenting program for families with children younger than five targeted toward Colombia. Findings indicate that (1) VAC in Colombia is a multidimensional issue with roots at the individual, family, community, and society levels, (2) evidence-based violence prevention programs share a common set of content and delivery strategies that could inform the components of the Apapacho program, and (3) there is an urgent need for scalable and flexible violence prevention programs for families with young children in Colombia. Considering existing evidence, the Apapacho violence prevention parenting program will be designed using ecological, developmental, and neuroscience-informed perspectives. This article concludes by presenting the initial components of the theory of change and discussing future directions for the design of the Apapacho program and other violence prevention interventions in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Cuartas
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Helen Baker-Henningham
- School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2DG, UK;
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research, University of the West Indies, Kingston BB11000, Jamaica
| | - Andrés Cepeda
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Catalina Rey-Guerra
- Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College, Chesnut Hill, MA 02467, USA;
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Evaluating the Effect of Parent-Child Interactive Groups in a School-Based Parent Training Program: Parenting Behavior, Parenting Stress and Sense of Competence. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2021; 54:692-710. [PMID: 34734361 PMCID: PMC10140126 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The Exploring Together program is a group-based parent training program that comprises separate parent, child, and teacher components, and a combined parent-child interactive component. A cluster-randomized trial design was used to compare the Exploring Together program with (Exploring Together; ET) and without (Exploring Together-Adapted; ET-Adapted) the parent-child interactive component. One hundred and thirty-six parents and their children (aged 5-10 years) with externalizing and/or internalizing problems participated in the trial, recruited from primary schools. There was a significant reduction in negative parenting behavior across both treatment groups (ET and ET-Adapted) but no significant improvement in positive parenting behaviors. Parenting self-efficacy improved significantly across both treatment groups however there was no significant change in parenting satisfaction or parenting stress. There was no consistent evidence of superiority of one version of the Exploring Together program over the other. Further investigation regarding treatment dosage and mastery of parenting skills associated with the program is warranted.
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Jeong J, Franchett EE, Ramos de Oliveira CV, Rehmani K, Yousafzai AK. Parenting interventions to promote early child development in the first three years of life: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003602. [PMID: 33970913 PMCID: PMC8109838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents are the primary caregivers of young children. Responsive parent-child relationships and parental support for learning during the earliest years of life are crucial for promoting early child development (ECD). We conducted a global systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of parenting interventions on ECD and parenting outcomes. METHODS AND FINDINGS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health Library for peer-reviewed, published articles from database inception until November 15, 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of parenting interventions delivered during the first 3 years of life that evaluated at least 1 ECD outcome. At least 2 reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed study quality from eligible studies. ECD outcomes included cognitive, language, motor, and socioemotional development, behavior problems, and attachment. Parenting outcomes included parenting knowledge, parenting practices, parent-child interactions, and parental depressive symptoms. We calculated intervention effect sizes as the standardized mean difference (SMD) and estimated pooled effect sizes for each outcome separately using robust variance estimation meta-analytic approaches. We used random-effects meta-regression models to assess potential effect modification by country-income level, child age, intervention content, duration, delivery, setting, and study quality. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018092458 and CRD42018092461). Of the 11,920 articles identified, we included 111 articles representing 102 unique RCTs. Pooled effect sizes indicated positive benefits of parenting interventions on child cognitive development (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.23, 0.40, P < 0.001), language development (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.37, P < 0.001), motor development (SMD = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.32, P < 0.001), socioemotional development (SMD = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.28, P < 0.001), and attachment (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.40, P < 0.001) and reductions in behavior problems (SMD = -0.13, 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.08, P < 0.001). Positive benefits were also found on parenting knowledge (SMD = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.79, P < 0.001), parenting practices (SMD = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.44, P < 0.001), and parent-child interactions (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.53, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant reduction in parental depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.16 to 0.02, P = 0.08). Subgroup analyses revealed significantly greater effects on child cognitive, language, and motor development, and parenting practices in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries; and significantly greater effects on child cognitive development, parenting knowledge, parenting practices, and parent-child interactions for programs that focused on responsive caregiving compared to those that did not. On the other hand, there was no clear evidence of effect modification by child age, intervention duration, delivery, setting, or study risk of bias. Study limitations include considerable unexplained heterogeneity, inadequate reporting of intervention content and implementation, and varying quality of evidence in terms of the conduct of trials and robustness of outcome measures used across studies. CONCLUSIONS Parenting interventions for children during the first 3 years of life are effective for improving ECD outcomes and enhancing parenting outcomes across low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Increasing implementation of effective and high-quality parenting interventions is needed globally and at scale in order to support parents and enable young children to achieve their full developmental potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Jeong
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emily E. Franchett
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Clariana V. Ramos de Oliveira
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Karima Rehmani
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aisha K. Yousafzai
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Cova F, Rincón P, Bustos C, Streiner D, King M, Saldivia S, Inostroza C, Grandón P, Novoa C. Randomized cluster trial of a parenting program in Chile: Key mediators in the decrease in behavior problems in preschool children. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2020; 25:320-332. [PMID: 31353936 DOI: 10.1177/1359104519864124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parenting training is a proven strategy for the promotion of positive parenting practices and for the prevention and treatment of behavior problems in children. The processes that explain this efficacy are less clear. The aim of this study was to assess the mediating role of parenting practice modification, encouraged through the implementation of a universal parenting training program, for the decrease of behavior problems in 3- to 6-year-old children. METHOD A cluster randomized trial was carried out in 19 educational centers in low and middle socioeconomic areas. A total of 178 families received the program and 154 of them were the control group. The following parenting practices were assessed: positive reinforcement, involvement, inconsistency, unsuitable treatment behaviors and physical punishment, as well as hostility and humiliation behaviors. Parent-child interaction was also assessed using an observational instrument. A multiple mediation analysis was carried out, identifying the indirect effects. RESULTS Reduction of harsh discipline and physical punishment, and parental inconsistency mediated the effects observed in the reduction of child behavior problems during the program. CONCLUSION Within Chilean families, harsh discipline, physical punishment, and parental inconsistency are important aspects to be considered in the implementation of universal parenting training programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Cova
- Department of Psychology, University of Concepción, Chile
| | - Paulina Rincón
- Department of Psychology, University of Concepción, Chile
| | - Claudio Bustos
- Department of Psychology, University of Concepción, Chile
| | - David Streiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Michael King
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, UK
| | - Sandra Saldivia
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Concepción, Chile
| | - Carolina Inostroza
- Department of Psychology, University of Concepción, Chile.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Concepción, Chile
| | - Pamela Grandón
- Department of Psychology, University of Concepción, Chile
| | - Consuelo Novoa
- Department of Psychology, University of Concepción, Chile
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Choi JK, Wang D, Jackson AP. Adverse experiences in early childhood and their longitudinal impact on later behavioral problems of children living in poverty. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2019; 98:104181. [PMID: 31521904 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are an identified risk factor for the social and emotional development of children. What is less known is the long-term effects of ACEs when poverty and ACEs coincide. OBJECTIVE Using longitudinal cohort-panel data, we examined whether exposure to ACEs by the age of three among poor children would longitudinally result in behavioral problems at ages three, five, nine, and 15, after controlling for mothers' socioeconomic status and their children's characteristics. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING We used a subsample of 2750 children and their parents living in urban poverty from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study. METHODS Logistic regression modeling was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios of ACE categories predicting behavioral problems after accounting for family socioeconomic position. RESULTS Our findings indicate that experiencing ACEs in early childhood was significantly associated with later behavioral outcomes from childhood to adolescence. Exposure to multiple ACEs before the age of three was significantly associated with the top-risk behavior group at age five; the odd ratios were 2.0 (CI = 1.3-3.1) and 2.9 (CI = 1.8-4.6) for two ACEs and three or more ACEs, respectively. At both ages nine and 15, children experiencing two or more ACEs had 1.9 to 3.2 times higher odds to demonstrate more the top 10th percentile of behavioral problems. Among covariates, mothers' race and education, and children's gender and temperament were identified as significant factors to determine behavior problems. CONCLUSIONS The findings support policies and programs for families with children who have experienced economic disadvantages and early childhood adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Kyun Choi
- Department of Child, Youth, & Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Child, Youth, & Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Aurora P Jackson
- Department of Social Welfare, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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