Effects of a parent-training program on the trajectory of children in child protective services

Purpose Each year, in United States, one child out of 58 is a victim of maltreatment. Since parenting practices are often deteriorated in such context, parents involved with child protective services (CPS) are frequently... [ view full abstract ]

Purpose
Each year, in United States, one child out of 58 is a victim of maltreatment. Since parenting practices are often deteriorated in such context, parents involved with child protective services (CPS) are frequently offered/ordered to participate in parent-training programs (PTP). PTP aim to improve parenting practices to ultimately prevent maltreatment recidivism. Incredible Years (IY), an evidence-based PTP, has been implemented since 2003 in a child welfare agency in Montreal.
This study aims to evaluate if participation to IY increase the probability to end maltreatment.
Method
Survival analysis are used to compare a group of children aged 6 to 10 years (mean age = 8 ) followed by CPS whose parents have participated to IY between 2007-2013 and a control group composed of children followed by CPS whose parent did not participate to IY. The dependent variables are : (1) the date of reunification with family for children in out-of-home placement during IY; (2) the date of the end of CPS involvement, indicating that the security and development of the child are no longer endangered; (3) the date of substantiated reports after IY.
Results
Descriptive statistics showed that 302 children had their parent involved in IY. 60% had a initial report for neglect, 18% for physical abuse and 22% for other type of maltreatment. 81% were under court-ordered protection and 60% were in out-of -home placement. Survival analysis verify if children of the IY group have: (1) a greater probability to return to their family more rapidly after a placement, (2) a greater probability to end their involvement with CPS more rapidly and (3) a lower probability to be once again victim of maltreatment.
Conclusion
Recognizing the efficacy of IY on distal variables associated with children’s trajectories in CPS may confirm the relevance to implement PTP in child welfare agencies.