Motivational Intervention Can Improve Retention in PCIT for Low-Motivation Child Welfare Clients

• NCJ Number: 228657
• Journal: Child Maltreatment Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2009 Pages: 356-368
• Author(s): Mark Chaffin; Linda Anne Valle; Beverly Funderburk; Robin Gurwitch; Jane Silovsky; David Bard; Carol McCoy; Michelle Kees
• Date Published: November 2009
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): R49CE622338
• Sponsoring Agency: Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study field tested a motivational orientation intervention designed to improve parenting program retention versus standard orientation across two parenting programs; Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and standard didactic parenting training.

Abstract

The combination of motivational pretreatment with PCIT produced significantly improved retention among individuals with initially low to moderate motivation. However, the results suggest that, absent the motivation intervention, retention in PCIT is comparable to that of traditional didactic group formats. Research shows that apart from obstacles to retention, individuals' internal motivation plays a role in whether clients are retained in services or dropout. Motivational interventions have been tested with parent populations outside child welfare and found to generate retention benefits. In a sample of 192 parents, this study tested the effects of an adjunctive motivational intervention across 2 types of parenting conditions, PCIT and a standard didactic parent training group. Figures and references