Investigation of a Community-Based Intervention for Socially Isolated Parents with a History of Child Maltreatment

• NCJ Number: 218146
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2007 Pages: 81-89
• Author(s): John Fantuzzo; Howard Stevenson; Saburah Abdul Kabir; Marlo A. Perry
• Date Published: February 2007
• Length: 9 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper reported on the findings of a randomized field trial that tested the effectiveness of a community-based intervention designed to enhance the prosocial interaction and psychological well-being of urban, Head Start parents with a history of child maltreatment.

Abstract

Compared to the control group of parents, parents who participated in the intervention reported lower levels of stress and higher levels of social activity. No main effects for maltreatment status or maltreatment by intervention group interactions were found. The authors advise that the effectiveness of this intervention validates Head Start as a strategic context for intervention and shows the ease with which this intervention model can be incorporated into early childhood education programs. The intervention, which is entitled Community Outreach Through Parent Empowerment (COPE), involved 10 group training sessions that focused on the relationship between stress and social support. Emphasis is given to trust and respect as the foundation for social interaction. The program takes into account the impact of multiple environmental stressors that influence parents and often act as barriers to effective parenting. The intervention is community-based in its use of parents' knowledge of their neighborhoods. It is culturally relevant in its sensitivity to the varied cultural expressions of emotions, attitudes, and parental. A total of 116 (111 women and 5 men) socially isolated Head Start parents participated in the study. Forty of the participating parents had a history of maltreatment of their Head Start children. The maltreatment included minor to moderate physical injuries. Parents in the control group participated in traditional Head Start parent training activities, which included monthly parent meetings and occasional parent workshops conducted by outside consultants. Instruments measured perceived stressors and supports and social contact with peers both before and after program completion. 3 tables and 49 references