Universal parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention: A quasi-experimental protocol.

<h4>Background</h4>Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a significant public health concern, and there is a lack of universal, evidence-based primary prevention interventions that extend beyond a focus solely on children. Parents remain a consistently underutilized target for primary prevention e...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ella Abourjaily, Kate Guastaferro, Kassidy McElwee, Christian M Connell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314459
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832540284343287808
author Ella Abourjaily
Kate Guastaferro
Kassidy McElwee
Christian M Connell
author_facet Ella Abourjaily
Kate Guastaferro
Kassidy McElwee
Christian M Connell
author_sort Ella Abourjaily
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a significant public health concern, and there is a lack of universal, evidence-based primary prevention interventions that extend beyond a focus solely on children. Parents remain a consistently underutilized target for primary prevention efforts aimed at mitigating CSA despite their unique relationship and close proximity to their children. CSA risk is not confined to any specific demographic, and its effects on affected children are well-documented, significantly impacting numerous dimensions of their wellbeing. Thus, there is a clear and urgent need to address this gap in prevention strategies.<h4>Methods</h4>This study will use a quasi-experimental design (target N = 412) to examine potential gains in CSA-related awareness and intentions to use protective behaviors among parents who participate in a universal parent-focused CSA prevention workshop, Smarter Parents. Safer Kids., compared to those who do not. Participants in both the control (n = 206) and experimental group (n = 206) will complete 3 survey assessments: Survey 0 (baseline), Survey 1 (1-month), and Survey 2 (3-month follow-up). The experimental group will participate in a Smarter Parents. Safer Kids. workshop between the Surveys 0 and 1. We will use data collected from the baseline to measure potential mediators of CSA-related awareness and intention to use protective and preventive behaviors. In adjacent efforts to enhance the curriculum's reach with future dissemination and implementation, we will also explore the impact of recruitment materials and strategies on parental engagement.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Results of this study will advance efforts to implement parent-focused CSA prevention with a universal audience.
format Article
id doaj-art-d1146a27b87d48a488ba61cfeb42a70b
institution Kabale University
issn 1932-6203
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-d1146a27b87d48a488ba61cfeb42a70b2025-02-05T05:31:22ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e031445910.1371/journal.pone.0314459Universal parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention: A quasi-experimental protocol.Ella AbourjailyKate GuastaferroKassidy McElweeChristian M Connell<h4>Background</h4>Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a significant public health concern, and there is a lack of universal, evidence-based primary prevention interventions that extend beyond a focus solely on children. Parents remain a consistently underutilized target for primary prevention efforts aimed at mitigating CSA despite their unique relationship and close proximity to their children. CSA risk is not confined to any specific demographic, and its effects on affected children are well-documented, significantly impacting numerous dimensions of their wellbeing. Thus, there is a clear and urgent need to address this gap in prevention strategies.<h4>Methods</h4>This study will use a quasi-experimental design (target N = 412) to examine potential gains in CSA-related awareness and intentions to use protective behaviors among parents who participate in a universal parent-focused CSA prevention workshop, Smarter Parents. Safer Kids., compared to those who do not. Participants in both the control (n = 206) and experimental group (n = 206) will complete 3 survey assessments: Survey 0 (baseline), Survey 1 (1-month), and Survey 2 (3-month follow-up). The experimental group will participate in a Smarter Parents. Safer Kids. workshop between the Surveys 0 and 1. We will use data collected from the baseline to measure potential mediators of CSA-related awareness and intention to use protective and preventive behaviors. In adjacent efforts to enhance the curriculum's reach with future dissemination and implementation, we will also explore the impact of recruitment materials and strategies on parental engagement.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Results of this study will advance efforts to implement parent-focused CSA prevention with a universal audience.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314459
spellingShingle Ella Abourjaily
Kate Guastaferro
Kassidy McElwee
Christian M Connell
Universal parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention: A quasi-experimental protocol.
PLoS ONE
title Universal parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention: A quasi-experimental protocol.
title_full Universal parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention: A quasi-experimental protocol.
title_fullStr Universal parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention: A quasi-experimental protocol.
title_full_unstemmed Universal parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention: A quasi-experimental protocol.
title_short Universal parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention: A quasi-experimental protocol.
title_sort universal parent focused child sexual abuse prevention a quasi experimental protocol
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314459
work_keys_str_mv AT ellaabourjaily universalparentfocusedchildsexualabusepreventionaquasiexperimentalprotocol
AT kateguastaferro universalparentfocusedchildsexualabusepreventionaquasiexperimentalprotocol
AT kassidymcelwee universalparentfocusedchildsexualabusepreventionaquasiexperimentalprotocol
AT christianmconnell universalparentfocusedchildsexualabusepreventionaquasiexperimentalprotocol