Do evidence-based group parenting programs for high-risk or maltreating parents include content about psychological...

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Psychological maltreatment (PM) is a prevalent form of child maltreatment.
• Current intervention programs for high-risk and maltreating parents do not directly target PM.
• A gap exists in addressing various forms of PM within existing parenting programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the content of evidence-based parenting program manuals for high-risk and maltreating parents.
• To determine the extent to which these manuals include content on 18 types of psychological maltreatment (PM).

Main Methods:

• Nine evidence-based group parenting programs were identified from reputable registries (e.g., SAMHSA).
• Program manuals were systematically reviewed and rated for the inclusion of content on 18 specific types of PM.
• Manuals were analyzed to quantify the presence of PM-related content.

Main Results:

• Only one type of psychological maltreatment was covered in all nine reviewed program manuals.
• No other type of PM was included in more than four manuals.
• Many forms of PM were absent from the majority of the assessed parenting program manuals.

Conclusions:

• Existing evidence-based parenting programs for high-risk and maltreating parents inadequately address psychological maltreatment.
• There is a critical need to develop and integrate comprehensive content on diverse forms of PM into parenting interventions.
• Current programs fail to equip parents with knowledge and skills to prevent or address many types of psychological harm to children.