title: The effects of early prevention programs for families with young children at risk for physical child abuse and neglect: a meta-analysis.
abstract: In this article, a meta-analysis is presented on 40 evaluation studies of early prevention programs for families with young children at risk for physical child abuse and neglect with mostly nonrandomized designs. The main aim of all programs was to prevent physical child abuse and neglect by providing early family support. For the meta-analysis, a multilevel approach was used. A significant overall positive effect was found, pointing to the potential usefulness of these programs. The study demonstrated a significant decrease in the manifestation of abusive and neglectful acts and a significant risk reduction in factors such as child functioning, parent-child interaction, parent functioning, family functioning, and context characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Center for Disability, Special Needs Education and Child Care, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Scienes, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. liesl.geeraert@ped.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Liesl
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Geeraert
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van den Noortgate
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grietens
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Onghena
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001530:Belgium; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support