Working with denial in families dealing with child abuse: A scoping review of the resolutions approach

Abstract

The Resolutions Approach (RA) is a solution-based intervention that has a unique way of dealing with parental denial of child abuse occurrences. The aim of this scoping review is to summarise knowledge about the benefits of the RA and identify areas for future research. After describing the theoretical background, the intervention steps are illustrated. Next, results of a systematic literature search on the effectiveness and other clinical benefits of the RA are presented. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research. Our search identified two published articles and one dissertation. Findings indicate that the RA might be useful in stopping child abuse and in improving cooperation between families and professionals.Parents experienced more control over their situation, and guardians perceived the method to be transparent.The RA is a well-described method that respectfully deals with families in which a lack of safety is observed. Future empirical research on the RA is necessary.

Seeing, being and feeling seen and heard

“…First is a scoping literature review by Sepers et al (2023) summarising knowledge about the benefits of the Resolutions Approach, a solution-based intervention for working with parents in denial about child abuse occurrences. The authors show that the extant literature is sparse and this review helpfully shows how the resolutions approach fits with other frameworks for practice as well as how the knowledge base in this area might develop.…”

Practice tips for managing challenges in parenting capacity assessments in child protection court

“…In child protection cases, it is not uncommon for parents' accounts of maltreatment allegations to be discrepant with child protection investigation records or legal findings at adjudication (Sepers et al, 2022). As a result, parents and child protection professionals can have divergent perspectives on the risk issues in a case and what steps are necessary to protect children from future harm.…”

“…The primary goal of treatment is for parents and professionals to work collaboratively to construct a "safe enough" protective environment for the children. A recent review found that most studies of RA utilized qualitative methods to investigate outcomes, with positive findings including lower child protection re-referral rates, increased cooperation between parents and child protection professionals, and general satisfaction with the RA intervention (Sepers et al, 2022). Robinson and Whitney (1999) described another therapeutic approach that acknowledges the often adversarial relationships between parents and child protection agencies and emphasizes creating clear and mutually agreed-upon expectations to establish children's safety, parental responsibility, and build the family's network of support.…”

“…As a result, parents and child protection professionals can have divergent perspectives on the risk issues in a case and what steps are necessary to protect children from future harm. Several authors working with child protection involved families in a therapeutic context have noted that professionals often view parents' full acceptance of the allegations of child maltreatment as a prerequisite to meaningful therapeutic change (Essex et al, 1996; Sepers et al, 2022) or even reunification (Robinson & Whitney, 1999). Court parties involved in these proceedings may associate acceptance of responsibility with a lowered risk of future maltreatment.…”

“…These could include internal factors such as acute stress and posttraumatic responses that contribute to explanations and behaviors that are incongruent with what is known of the situation; memory impairment related to personality factors, repression, dissociation, intoxication, and psychiatric or neurological conditions; one parent believing the denials of another, secretly guilty parent/caregiver; and truthful denials of responsibility (Dale et al, 2005). External threats, such as criminal prosecution and incarceration, job loss, or ostracism from family, social or community connections, may also influence parents' accounts of maltreatment (Dale et al, 2005; Sepers et al, 2022). Minimization or the tendency to “fake good,” as evident in validity scales of certain assessment tools, is not uncommon among child‐protection involved parents undergoing evaluation.…”