Effectiveness of a Multi-Component Evidence-Based Parent Training Program in Reducing Child Maltreatment

University of Oklahoma (OU)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Child Abuse

Treatments: Behavioral: SafeCare

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00595010

R34MH076972 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will determine the effectiveness of a complex parent training program, based on the SafeCare model, in reducing the occurrence of child maltreatment.

Full description

Child maltreatment is the general term used to characterize all forms of child abuse, including neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. These forms of maltreatment can lead to a large number of child developmental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. As adults, children who are maltreated are more prone to unhealthy behaviors and conditions, such as drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, eating disorders, and depression. A previous study found that Project SafeCare, a treatment program that provides parent training to families with children who were at risk for or victims of maltreatment, resulted in fewer child welfare reports. Participants in Project SafeCare reported improvements in child healthcare, home safety, and parent-child relations. However, the study suggested that the SafeCare program may not be equally effective in decreasing the occurrence of all forms of child maltreatment, particularly child physical abuse. This study will determine the effectiveness of a complex evidence-based practice program, extending upon the SafeCare program, in reducing the occurrence of physical abuse and other forms of child maltreatment.

Participants in this study will receive services from Oklahoma Comprehensive Home-Based Services (CHBS), a program provided to families with issues of child abuse and neglect. Upon entry into the CHBS program, participants will undergo a computerized interview, lasting between 1 and 2 hours. The interview will include questions about family strengths and weaknesses, personal beliefs, substance abuse history, and opinion on CHBS. This computerized interview will be repeated at the end of treatment, approximately 6 to 12 months later. During the first few weeks of CHBS, an agent will make five visits to the homes of participants to observe pretreatment family life. Treatment services will concentrate on improving healthcare skills, parent-child interactions, and safety in homes and will specifically address ways to reduce physical abuse and other identified family issues. Study participation will continue for 12 months after completion of CHBS. Study researchers will obtain child welfare reports from the Department of Human Services (DHS) for up to 10 years after completion of CHBS.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Enrolled in Oklahoma Comprehensive Home-Based Services (CHBS)
• Child referred by Office of Community Services

Exclusion criteria

• Primary referral of sexual abuse
• Primary referral goal to maintain permanent placement

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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26 participants in 1 patient group

Managing Child Behavior

Experimental group

Description:

Families with a high risk for or a history of child abuse and are enrolled in Comprehensive Home-Based Services and receive services as usual, which includes SafeCare, plus Managing Child Behavior module if they report significant behavior problems with their child between the ages of 2-12.

Treatment:

Behavioral: SafeCare