Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with a Family at High Risk for Physical Abuse

Abstract

The use of empirically validated treatments with physically abusive and at-risk families continues to be an issue requiring further clinical and research attention. This single-case study discusses the effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) with a mother-child dyad considered to be at high risk for physical abuse. Although PCIT is effective with different populations and in different settings, no study to date has demonstrated the effectiveness of PCIT with physically abusive families or families at risk for physical abuse. Data are presented from behavioral observations and standardized measures. Results suggest that PCIT was effective in reducing the child's behavior problems and the mother's stress, and increasing the number of positive parent-child interactions. Finally, implications for future clinical and research work on physically abusive and at-risk families are discussed.

Parenting Programs to Prevent Corporal Punishment: A Systematic Review

“…In these sessions, the parent used a bug-in-the ear device from where immediate orientations on how to interact with the child were received -a technique called coaching. Borrego et al (1999) followed such PCIT methodology with only one mother-child dyad. Results indicated a reduction of child behavior problems, and mother and child's stress, as well as increased frequency of positive mother-child interactions, comparing pre and post-test, with a 5 month follow-up, followed by another one at 16 months.…”

“…Only two studies (Borrego et al, 1999;Santos & Williams, 2008) could not have the effect size analysis conducted, as the authors did not offer sufficient quantitative data. Coincidentally, these two studies employ only 2-3 participants, featuring a casestudy format.…”

“…With regards to the intervention procedures, three of nine studies used individual psychotherapy (Kolko, 1996;Kolko et al, 2011;Swenson et al, 2010); four used group psychotherapy (Kjellgren et al, 2013;Nicholson et al, 2002;Runyon et al, 2009;Santos & Williams, 2008); one used coaching (Borrego et al, 1999);and Chaffin et al (2004) used a motivational orientation in the initial phase, followed by coaching. Among the nine studies, four have used a RCT design with pre-test/post-test (Chaffin et al, 2004;Kolko, 1996;Nicholson et al, 2002;Swenson et al, 2010); and the remaining used a pre-test/post-test design on the treatment group only (without a comparison group).…”

Relations of Parental Report and Observation of Parenting to Maltreatment History

“…Missing opportunities for such "normal" interaction may be an important component of a maltreating parenting style, as suggested by the relation between a negative self-report on the Physical Assault subscale and decreased positive parenting during tile observation. One potentially helpful intervention approach would be to provide such direct opportunities, as in parent-child interaction therapy (Borrego, Urquiza, Rasmussen, & Zebell, 1999;Chaffin et al, 2004). It is also possible that mothers who are maltreating their children have knowledge of what they should not do but when emotionally aroused or stressed may have difficulty enacting an appropriate parenting strategy.…”

L’absence de considération pour la notion de genre dans l’intervention auprès des enfants manifestant des comportements sexuels problématiques et auprès de leurs parents

“…La première consiste à amener le parent à développer et à appliquer des habiletés parentales positives dans le but d'améliorer la qualité des relations parent-enfant. Par exemple, il lui est demandé de décrire les comportements appropriés de son enfant, de répéter les affirmations appropriées de ce dernier, d'imiter et d'encourager ses comportements appropriés et d'ignorer les comportements inappropriés (Borrego, et collab., 1999). Ainsi, l'enfant comprend qu'il obtient l'attention de son parent en adoptant des comportements positifs, car ils sont désormais récompensés (Timmer, et collab., 2005).…”