Parent-Focused Sexual Abuse Prevention: Results From a Cluster Randomized Trial

Abstract

This study tested whether a child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention program, Smart Parents–Safe and Healthy Kids (SPSHK), could be implemented as an additional module in evidence-based parent training and whether the added module might detract from the efficacy of the original program. In a cluster randomized trial, six community-based organizations were randomized to deliver Parents as Teachers (PAT) with SPSHK (PAT+SPSHK) or PAT as usual (PAT-AU). CSA-related awareness and protective behaviors, as well as general parenting behaviors taught by PAT were assessed at baseline, post-PAT, post-SPSHK, and 1-month follow-up. Multilevel analyses revealed significant group by time interactions for both awareness and behaviors ( ps < .0001), indicating the PAT+SPSHK group had significantly greater awareness of CSA and used protective behaviors more often (which were maintained at follow-up) compared to the PAT-AU group. No differences were observed in general parenting behaviors taught by PAT suggesting adding SPHSK did not interfere with PAT efficacy as originally designed. Results indicate adding SPHSK to existing parent training can significantly enhance parents’ awareness of and readiness to engage in protective behavioral strategies. Implementing SPHSK as a selective prevention strategy with at-risk parents receiving parent training through child welfare infrastructures is discussed.

Revisão integrativa sobre a efetividade de intervenções preventivas do abuso sexual infantil

“…Além disso, uma parte considerável dos estudos com pais envolveu intervenções abrangentes que não eram o foco do presente estudo e a dinâmica do ASI como característica intrafamiliar. Nesse sentido, um estudo verificou a viabilidade do programa Smart Parents Safe and Healthy Kids (SPSHK), focado no ASI como uma sessão adicional a um programa bem estabelecido de treinamento de pais (Guastaferro et al, 2020). O SPSHK apresentou temas como desenvolvimento da saúde sexual infantil, comunicação dos pais sobre sexo e comportamentos sexuais, e comportamentos protetivos dos pais específicos ao ASI.…”

The Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) in Child Maltreatment Prevention Research

“…Of the remaining four components that will be experimentally manipulated in the subsequent phase of MOST, three are related to the content of the intervention. The child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention component is a module with demonstrated effectiveness in improving parents' CSArelated awareness and use of protective behaviors (Guastaferro et al, 2020). The peer mentor component connects the parent with a peer mentor to provide a form of social support.…”

Child Sexual Abuse Recurrence: A Narrative Review

“…Engaging caregivers in a child sexual abuse prevention program can enhance their awareness of childhood sexual abuse and their preparation to utilize protective behavioral strategies such as monitoring one-on-one time between the child and adults and vetting babysitters. 31 Comprehensive or "wraparound" approaches deserve research attention as potential strategies to reduce recurrence by addressing multiple, interrelated risk factors identified in our narrative review (e.g., parental and child mental health problems and trauma) with an individualized, family-centered approach. 32 For example, the Child Protective Services Reintegration Project (CPSR) is an evidence-based, familycentered wraparound program that works to promote permanency in the home for children with severe mental health issues.…”