A Pilot Study Examining the Reduction of Trauma Symptomatology in Families to Prevent Child Abuse And Neglect: Trauma Adapted Family Connections

Abstract

This article presents the preliminary outcomes of a 6-month, in-home trauma-adapted neglect prevention program intended to reduce trauma-related risk factors in families and increase caregiver, child, and family well-being. Standardized measures were administered via a computer assisted self-interview (CASI) at intake and case closure. At the time of the analyses 72 caregivers and 105 children completed both an intake and closing CASI. Significant differences were found over time in the reduction of caregiver and child related post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptomatology. Outcomes in overall caregiver, child, and family well-being and safety significantly improved over time. Evidence suggests that trauma adaptation of the empirically supported neglect prevention program shows great promise in filling a service gap and in helping families who are chronically traumatized and struggling to meet their children's basic needs.

Keywords::

• prevention
• trauma
• family therapy
• ptsd
• child maltreatment

Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (NCTSI Category II, 2U79SM058147-05) and the University of Maryland, School of Social Work's Competitive Innovation Research Award.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kathryn S. Collins

Kathryn S. Collins, MSW, PhD, is the Co-PI of the NCTSN Family Informed Trauma Treatment Center and an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Pamela A. Clarkson Freeman

Pamela A. Clarkson Freeman, MSW, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Frederick H. Strieder

Frederick H. Strieder, PhD, MSSA, is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Director of Family Connections at Baltimore.

Polly Reinicker

Polly Reinicker, MSW, is a Research Assistant at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Crystal Baldwin

Crystal Baldwin, MSW, is a Research Assistant at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.