Decreasing Harsh Discipline in Mothers at Risk for Maltreatment: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

This study tested the effectiveness of the attachment-based program Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD; F. Juffer, M.J. Bakermans-Kranenburg, & M.H. van IJzendoorn, 2008) in decreasing harsh discipline of 43 mothers and their 1- to 4-year-old-children from severely deprived families. Based on previous studies, parenting stress was tested as a potential moderator of intervention effects on harsh discipline. Using a randomized control design, maternal harsh discipline was observed during home visits at the pretest and posttest, and mothers filled in questionnaires at both assessments. The VIPP-SD proved to be effective in decreasing maternal harsh discipline, but only for mothers who experienced higher levels of parenting stress at intake. These findings provide support for the program's ability to improve parenting in families who are most at risk for harsh parenting and for potentially maltreating child-parent interactions. The results are discussed in terms of the VIPP-SD elements most relevant to decreasing harsh discipline, and the challenges of parenting interventions in severely deprived populations.

The effects of two early parenting interventions on child aggression and risk for violence in Brazil (The PIÁ Trial): protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…The parent report measures include two questionnaires: the Aggression sub-scale of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) [55] and items on aggression from the ELDEQ Study Questionnaire [39]. Three observational measures are being used: child response to a frustration task (from the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery for preschool children, www.uta.edu/faculty/jgagne/labtab), and child behaviour during ‘Don’t touch’ and ‘Clean Up’ tasks [56, 57]. The multiple measures of aggression will be combined into at least one latent variable for analysis of the primary outcome, and the independent trial statistician will decide if a single variable or multiple latent variables are required (for example, one for observed aggression and one for reported aggression).…”

“…The two main secondary outcomes will be measured at the 6-month follow-up. All relevant measures are being administered to the whole trial sample, but effects are hypothesised to be specific to DBS or ACT, as outlined above:Child language will be assessed using the Test of Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary (Teste de Vocabulário Auditivo e Teste de Vocabulário Expressivo http://memnon.com.br/produto/teste-de-vocabulario-auditivo-e-teste-de-vocabulario-expressivo/)Harsh and abusive parenting will be assessed by parent self-report, using the PAFAS Questionnaire [58], the Juvenile Victimisation Questionnaire (http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/jvq/index_new.html), by direct observation during the ‘Don’t touch’ and ‘Clean Up’ tasks [56, 57], and by searches of child protection service records…”

“…Harsh and abusive parenting will be assessed by parent self-report, using the PAFAS Questionnaire [58], the Juvenile Victimisation Questionnaire (http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/jvq/index_new.html), by direct observation during the ‘Don’t touch’ and ‘Clean Up’ tasks [56, 57], and by searches of child protection service records…”

The Benefits of Early Book Sharing (BEBS) for child cognitive and socio-emotional development in South Africa: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…The first two tasks have been used to assess child defiance in several HICs [66, 67]. Since they have, to our knowledge, not been used in LMIC contexts, baseline videos will be examined and culturally sensitive modifications will be made to existing coding schemes.…”

Early Parenting Intervention – Biobehavioral Outcomes in infants with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (EPI-BOND): study protocol for an Italian multicentre randomised controlled trial

“…36 37 Different methodological VFI interventions have been developed to respond to the specific challenges of parent-child relationship under diverse at-risk developmental conditions. [38][39][40][41][42][43] The use of VFI has been also documented to be beneficial in dyads, in which the infant had sensory impairment, 44 45 cerebral palsy 46 and severe prematurity. 40 Beneficial effects include better socio-emotional regulation and behavioural development as well as increased parental sensitivity and responsiveness.…”