Prevention of child physical abuse and neglect: Promising new directions

Abstract

Intervention studies targeting risk factors to child physical abuse and neglect are reviewed. Programs that addressed parental competency enhancement with a wide range of at-risk individuals, including new parents and teen parents, formed the principal data base. Outcome evaluation studies using an appropriate research methodology were identified from 1977 to 1990 (N = 34). Maternal global adjustment and child-rearing skills were principal intervention targets, and significant gains were shown in these areas across studies. The promotion of child cognitive development and child behavioral competencies was a secondary target of intervention in many studies. More modest gains in these child areas were found, especially for behavioral competeneies. Programs that provided an individualized approach were most successful, especially with parents considered to be at greater risk of maltreatment. Base don these findings, specific strategies to address identified needs of the parent, child, and family situation hold the most promise for prevention, as opposed to nonspecific support and assistance; however, evidence of long-term benefits is limited, and indicators of actual maltreatment (e.g., child abuse reports) are rare and unreliable. Theoretical constructs for consideration in the development and evaluation of prevention strategies are discussed, as well as methodological and applied issues.