Unpacking Parenting Intervention Content for Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Review Examining Core Components

Abstract

This systematic review synthesized evidence from parental child maltreatment (CM) interventions by reviewing intervention evaluation studies on potentially effective intervention components and delivery techniques as well as identifying differences in the presence of these components based on maltreatment type. Quantitative intervention evaluations with an explicit parental CM outcome published in a peer-reviewed journal were considered for inclusion. This resulted in 60 final studies for the systematic review. The quality appraisal did not exclude any studies. Results were narratively synthesized using the Risk and Resilience Ecological framework and the behavior change techniques taxonomy with the help of systems mapping. Findings revealed the prevalence of intervention components among effective interventions, including parental emotional regulation (micro-individual level), managing child misbehavior (micro-family) and home visiting (mezzo). Prevalent behavior change techniques included “social support” and “instruction on how to perform a behavior” across all ecological levels. Physical abuse had the most maltreatment-type-specific intervention components (e.g., cognitive appraisal and parental motivation) and neglect only had one (management of parental risky health behaviors). No unique components targeting emotional and sexual abuse were identified. Findings highlighted potentially effective intervention components and the way they are delivered along with specific components aimed at types of maltreatment. Intervention provision can utilize these findings to tailor and develop effective provisions for parental CM. Researchers can shift attention to areas requiring more evidence such as the inclusion of a cultural perspective and evaluation of intervention provision for fathers, who are currently under-represented.