NCJ Number
213392
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: March-April 2006 Pages: 176-193
Date Published
March 2006
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the research on the need for early intervention and prevention programs for child maltreatment and presents evidence regarding the effectiveness of parenting skills training and behavioral family intervention (BFI).
Abstract
While there is strong evidence that BFI can offer effective evidence-based parenting and family support, much of the evaluation research on BFI focuses on efficacy rather than effectiveness or clinical utility. Among other parent training and family intervention programs, many have been targeted too late in the developmental timeline as interventions for older, high-risk youth already showing signs of behavioral and conduct disorders. The authors note that if parenting and family support interventions are to become a central feature of family services, there is a significant need for more training among professionals and greater access to evidence-based programs and resources. A conceptual framework for a comprehensive parenting and family support strategy is outlined, which focuses on reducing parenting difficulties and other family risk factors that have been linked with child maltreatment and the development of behavioral and emotional problems in youth. The parenting intervention program, Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), is described and it is suggested that in order for programs like Triple P to be effective, the interventions must be disseminated broadly to ensure sufficient program reach and parental exposure. Future research should focus on evaluating parenting and family support programs in clinical settings under controlled conditions. Figure, table, references