Effective elements of parenting programs in preventing, reducing child maltreatment
From a paper by The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
Parenting programs can support the prevention and reduction of child maltreatment but not all parenting programs are effective at doing so. What are the specific practices, content and techniques used within parenting programs that may increase program effectiveness?
Child maltreatment can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect or exposure to domestic violence. Multi-type maltreatment can also occur when a child experiences 2 or more different types of child maltreatment. [WOTS: These are also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences {ACES)]
In Australia, child maltreatment is widespread, with some research suggesting that 62.2% of the population have experienced at least one type of child maltreatment. Child maltreatment causes immediate suffering to children but also has an ‘enduring impact through life’ and is associated with severe mental health problems and health risk behaviours in both childhood and adulthood. [WOTS: Almost half of people in England have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), with approximately 9% having faced four or more. See also the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Report UK 2023]
AIFS looked at the research evidence on the effectiveness of parenting programs for preventing or reducing child maltreatment. Parents are critically important in efforts to protect children as they have primary responsibility for the care and decision making that impacts children’s safety and wellbeing. Further, child maltreatment very often takes place in the home or in home-like settings.
Therefore parenting programs and other parent-involved interventions are recognised as an important part of efforts to address child maltreatment. Research evidence shows that these types of programs can be effective for both preventing child maltreatment and reducing rates of reoffending among previously maltreating parents. It is important to understand what makes these programs effective.
Parenting programs include a diverse range of interventions that aim to support children and families. Programs usually aim to help parents to care for their children in ways that support positive child development, behaviour and/or wellbeing as well as promoting positive family functioning or relationship outcomes. They often do so by focusing on building parents’ knowledge and skills.
Parenting programs specifically designed to prevent or reduce child maltreatment are often based on social learning theory principles [WOTS: put simply - new behaviours can be acquired by observing and imitating others in a social setting] and use behavioural strategies to increase positive interactions between parents and children and reduce harmful or inconsistent parenting practices. For example, some programs work with families to address a parent’s anger-related behaviours and increase their capacity to regulate their emotions. Other programs focus on improving family relationships and aim to build positive and safe attachment between parents and their children.
Research evidence suggests that, as an intervention type, parenting programs can support both the prevention and reduction of child maltreatment. A variety of different types of parenting programs have been reported to be effective. These include:
-
Parent training programs aimed at teaching specific parenting skills or that support parent–child attachment
-
Home visitation programs where parents are provided with support and/or training on how to care for their children
-
Parent education programs that provide information on children’s basic needs, development and safety
-
Other combined interventions that include multiple family members and/or social systems.
What program elements work across diverse parenting interventions? An analysis of 130 studies on different types of parenting programs found the following specific program elements that were associated with larger effects on child maltreatment outcomes. Content that focuses on:
-
Increasing a parent’s self-confidence
-
Improving parenting skills and personal skills
-
Addressing a parent’s mental health challenges
-
Providing social and/or emotional support to parents
-
Improving the child’s wellbeing.
Read the full report here.
Retweet about this article:
From a paper by The Australian Institute of Family, 25/06/2025