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Preventing Maltreatment with a Community-Based Implementation of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine rates of child abuse and neglect reports following a community implementation of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-supported intervention for the prevention of maltreatment. Among a group of families receiving PCIT, predictors of reports were examined including family demographics, course of treatment, changes in clinical measures, and caregiver report for prior maltreatment victimization and perpetration. Participants (n = 120) included families at-risk for future maltreatment with and without prior maltreatment history. Agency case records were linked with state administrative records of child welfare reports. Time to follow-up ranged from 13 to 40 months. Bivariate and multivariate survival analyses were used to model risk for a later report. During the follow-up period, 12.5 % of families had a report for physical abuse or neglect. Reports of prior victimization as a child and prior perpetration as an adult were strong predictors of a report of perpetration after PCIT. Dosage of PCIT and change in clinical measures did not increase risk for a later report. PCIT can be an effective intervention for preventing maltreatment. Family history of child welfare involvement is a prominent factor in assessing risk for future involvement.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the State of Missouri Children’s Division. Mr. Lanier was supported by an NIMH pre-doctoral training grant (T32 MH019960).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA

    Paul Lanier, Patricia L. Kohl & Brett Drake

  2. Family Resource Center, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Joan Benz & Dawn Swinger

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  1. Paul Lanier
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  2. Patricia L. Kohl
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  3. Joan Benz
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  4. Dawn Swinger
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  5. Brett Drake
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Correspondence to Paul Lanier.

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Lanier, P., Kohl, P.L., Benz, J. et al. Preventing Maltreatment with a Community-Based Implementation of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy. J Child Fam Stud 23, 449–460 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-012-9708-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-012-9708-8

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