A program to decrease corporal punishment with Brazilian mothers: A randomized controlled trial study
Lucia Williams
Universidade Federal de São Carlos
Professor (Full) at the Psychology Department of the Federal University of São Carlos, State of São Paulo, Brazil where she founded the award-winning lab for research and community outreach intervention Laprev - The Laboratory for Violence Analysis & Prevention (working in the areas of family and school violence). Research fellow from Brazil´s National Research Council; Sidnei Sussex College Fellow, University of Cambridge, GB. Has been a visiting professor at University of Mar del Plata and Cordoba University, both in Argentina. Author of several books(including a children´s book) in Portuguese and over 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Main awards were "Best Practices in a Perspective of Gender and Etnicity in Health" by the Panamerican Health Organization in PAHO/WHO, Washington, and Child Abuse Prevention from the Women´s World Summit Foundation in Geneva, both in 2009. Has given presentaions in several Universities and conferences throughtou the world, including at the American Psychological Association, and MasterClass at 2 ISPCAN conferences (Calgary & Honolulu). Elected for the ISPCAN Council in 2016.
Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating an intervention program on positive parenting with Brazilian mothers who use corporal punishment with their children. The intervention was conducted in four agencies serving an at-risk... [ view full abstract ]
This study aimed at evaluating an intervention program on positive parenting with Brazilian mothers who use corporal punishment with their children. The intervention was conducted in four agencies serving an at-risk population of children, and at a home-replica laboratory at the University. Participants included 40 mothers and 40 of their children. The study had IRB approval and mothers had to sign informed consent. Mothers admitted having used corporal punishment with their children, and were randomly assigned between experimental group (n=20) and controls (n=20). The groups were equivalent in terms of previous involvement with Protection services, income and educational level. The program consisted of 12 individual sessions using one Module from Projeto Parceria (Partnership Project - a project aimed at teaching parenting skills to women with a history of domestic violence), with specific guidelines and materials on positive parenting; followed by sessions in the home lab, involving observation of mother-child interaction with live coaching, followed by a video feedback session. The study used an equivalent group experimental design with pre and post-test, and follow-up, in randomized controlled trials. Measures involved an initial interview; the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) - parent and child versions; the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); an observation protocol; and a Program Evaluation by participants. Analysis of mixed models for repeated measures revealed significant positive effects on the total BDI and SDQ scores, as well as less Conduct problems and Hyperactivity in measures of mothers from the experimental group, comparing pre-test/post-test. Observational data also indicated significant improvement regarding positive interaction of mothers from the experimental group at post-test. Nevertheless, no significant results were found in children’s measures, perhaps because they were not direct targets of the intervention. Limitations of the study involved use of a restricted sample, among others. Implications for future research are suggested.
Authors
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Lucia Williams
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos)
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Paolla Santini
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos)
Topic Area
Training Professionals and Education of children and families
Session
Oral 11 » Session 3-Training Professionals (16:15 - Monday, 2nd October, Europe 1 Room)
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