Evaluation report of early intervention program in situation of child-to-parent abuse: parents and children as participants

ABSTRACT

Clinical practice experiences of practitioners in child and youth mental health suggest that parents are asking for more help regarding child-to-parent abuse than before. The aim of this study is to evaluate short-term effects of the Early Intervention Program in Situation of Child-to-Parent Abuse (EI-CPA), which was implemented in a Children and Family Service context included in Social Services, on the individual behaviour and health outcomes of children and parents. Another aim was to examine its general acceptability and the satisfaction of participants, as well as to identify the main mechanisms by which EI-CPA works. The participants were members of twenty-three Spanish families with children between 12 and 17 years (N = 61). The sample comprised 21 adolescents, 25 mothers and 15 fathers. A single-case experimental design was used. EI-CPA provides positive evidence and experiences based on the reports of children and parents. The program had a positive impact on the intervention group, especially relating to child-to-parent abuse, clinical symptoms of parents and quality of family relationships. This study contributes to EI-CPA as a potential evidence-based program.

Key words:

• Adolescents
• Family conflicts
• Child-to-parent abuse
• Family therapy
• Treatment efficacy
• Treatment evaluation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from Children and Family Services of the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, Basque Country (2013.0350, 2014.0346, 2015.0268, 2016.0452, 2017.0067 and 2018.0240).