Parent-child interaction therapy with physically abusive parents: efficacy for reducing future abuse reports.
A randomized trial was conducted to test the efficacy and sufficiency of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) in preventing re-reports of physical abuse among abusive parents. Physically abusive parents (N=110) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention conditions: (a) PCIT, (b) PCIT plus individualized enhanced services, or (c) a standard community-based parenting group. Participants had multiple past child welfare reports, severe parent-to-child violence, low household income, and significant levels of depression, substance abuse, and antisocial behavior. At a median follow-up of 850 days, 19% of parents assigned to PCIT had a re-report for physical abuse compared with 49% of parents assigned to the standard community group. Additional enhanced services did not improve the efficacy of PCIT. The relative superiority of PCIT was mediated by greater reduction in negative parent-child interactions, consistent with the PCIT change model.
Chaffin
Mark
M
0000-0002-3620-6583
Department of Pediatrics.
Silovsky
Jane F
JF
Department of Pediatrics.
Funderburk
Beverly
B
Department of Pediatrics.
Valle
Linda Anne
LA
Department of Pediatrics.
Brestan
Elizabeth V
EV
Department of Pediatrics.
Balachova
Tatiana
T
Department of Pediatrics.
Jackson
Shelli
S
Department of Pediatrics.
Lensgraf
Jay
J
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Bonner
Barbara L
BL
Department of Pediatrics.
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*