A ‘best buy’ for violence prevention: Evaluating parenting skills programmes

Abstract

Levels of violence in 4 The more evidencebased practices are included in a programme, the more likely it is to achieve positive outcomes. 5 This approach offers a relatively quick and easy way for decision-makers to select interventions to consider for evaluation and wider roll-out.

Child deaths in South Africa: Lessons from the child death review pilot

“…Parenting programmes that enhance the parent-child relationship and reduce harsh parenting practices have been shown to be effective in SA. [11] Enhancing current parenting practices and support systems for families through the early identification of vulnerable families is critical to prevent fatal child abuse. The contribution of neglect to child mortality, and in particular sudden unexpected deaths of infants (SUDIs), is difficult to determine accurately, and this has also been highlighted internationally.…”

Associations between violence, criminality, and cognitive control deficits among young men living in low resource communities in South Africa

“…These findings highlight the importance of public health interventions to address the risk factors associated with violence and criminality in this community and the need for effective programmes to divert young men with a history of these behaviors to reduce the risk of recidivism. Although a number of scholars have previously called attention to the need for community‐based violence prevention interventions, this problem has received little attention and few violence prevention programs have been thoroughly tested for efficacy in SA (Matzopoulos, Myers, Bowman, & Mathews, ; Wessels & Ward, ). Furthermore, where violence prevention interventions have been implemented they have tended to focus on reducing deprivation and inequality, and promoting early education rather than targeting behavior change or improving domains of cognitive control such as self‐regulation, impulse control or affect regulation (Matzopoulos et al, ; Wessels & Ward, ).…”

“…Violence and criminality are serious public health concerns globally (Butchart, Mikton, Dahlberg, & Krug, ) and in South Africa (SA; Davids & Gaibie, ; Demombynes & Özler, ; Leoschut, ), with significant widespread social, economic, and health consequences (Lemanski, ; Wessels & Ward, ). Worldwide 1.3 million people die each year as a result of violence and approximately half a million people are murdered (Butchart et al, ).…”

Empowerment and Accountability and Multi‐layered Contexts of Influences: Parenting and the Avoidance of Harm in Harare, Zimbabwe

“…Such practices can promote intergenerational negative as well as positive parenting practices (Lachman et al., ). The growing child's psychological development is largely veiled and unknown, with the physical development of children taking centre stage (Wessels & Ward, ). From the day a mother falls pregnant, the system will offer plenty of tips and advice on the child's physical growth, development, and wellbeing.…”