Identifying Effective Components of Child Maltreatment Interventions: A Meta-Analysis

• NCJ Number: 306294
• Journal: Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review Volume: 21 Dated: 2018 Pages: 171-202
• Date Published: December 2017
• Author(s): Claudia E. Van Der Put; Mark Assink; Jeanne Gubbels; Noelle F. Boekhout Van Solinge
• Length: 32 pages
• DOI: 10.1007/s10567-017-0250-5

Annotation

This meta-analysis sought to increase the knowledge of effective child maltreatment prevention and reduction strategies.

Abstract

There is a lack of knowledge about specific components that make interventions effective in preventing or reducing child maltreatment. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to increase this knowledge by summarizing findings on effects of interventions for child maltreatment and by examining potential moderators of this effect. There is a lack of knowledge about specific components that make interventions effective in preventing or reducing child maltreatment. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to increase this knowledge by summarizing findings on effects of interventions for child maltreatment and by examining potential moderators of this effect, such as intervention components and study characteristics. Identifying effective components is essential for developing or improving child maltreatment interventions. A literature search yielded 121 independent studies (N = 39,044) examining the effects of interventions for preventing or reducing child maltreatment. From these studies, 352 effect sizes were extracted. The overall effect size was significant and small in magnitude for both preventive interventions (d = 0.26, p < .001) and curative interventions (d = 0.36, p < .001). Cognitive behavioral therapy, home visitation, parent training, family-based/multisystemic, substance abuse, and combined interventions were effective (Published abstract provided)