title: Reducing conduct problems among children exposed to intimate partner violence: a randomized clinical trial examining effects of Project Support.
abstract: This study was a randomized clinical trial of Project Support, an intervention designed to reduce conduct problems among children exposed to intimate partner violence. Participants were 66 families (mothers and children) with at least 1 child exhibiting clinical levels of conduct problems. Families were recruited from domestic violence shelters. The Project Support intervention involves (a) teaching mothers child management skills and (b) providing instrumental and emotional support to mothers. Families were randomly assigned to the Project Support intervention condition or to an existing services comparison condition. They were assessed on 6 occasions over 20 months, following their departure from the shelter. Children in families in the Project Support condition, compared with those in the comparison condition, exhibited greater reductions in conduct problems. Mothers in the Project Support condition, compared with those in the comparison condition, displayed greater reductions in inconsistent and harsh parenting behaviors and psychiatric symptoms. Changes in mothers' parenting and psychiatric symptoms accounted for a sizable proportion of Project Support's effects on child conduct problems at the end of treatment. Clinical and policy implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University.
authors.forename: Ernest N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Jouriles
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University.
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenfield
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corbitt-Shindler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Houston.
authors.forename: Pamela C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004493:Education / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult