A naturalistic evaluation of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and PCIT with trauma-directed interaction (PCIT with TDI) in Australian children exposed to abuse and neglect

Background: To optimize PCIT treatment with children exposed to abuse and neglect, PCIT with Trauma-Directed Interaction (PCIT with TDI) was created. Objective: The current study was a quasi-experimental cohort study (PCIT and PCIT with TDI treatment groups) with pre/post-treatment comparisons. The...

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Main Authors: Jessica M. Warren, Tanya L. Hanstock, Sally A. Hunt, Sean A. Halpin, Christina M. Warner-Metzger, Robin H. Gurwitch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-08-01
Series:Child Protection and Practice
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950193824000287
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author Jessica M. Warren
Tanya L. Hanstock
Sally A. Hunt
Sean A. Halpin
Christina M. Warner-Metzger
Robin H. Gurwitch
author_facet Jessica M. Warren
Tanya L. Hanstock
Sally A. Hunt
Sean A. Halpin
Christina M. Warner-Metzger
Robin H. Gurwitch
author_sort Jessica M. Warren
collection DOAJ
description Background: To optimize PCIT treatment with children exposed to abuse and neglect, PCIT with Trauma-Directed Interaction (PCIT with TDI) was created. Objective: The current study was a quasi-experimental cohort study (PCIT and PCIT with TDI treatment groups) with pre/post-treatment comparisons. The study was conducted in a statutory child protection agency and was a naturalistic evaluation of the outcomes achieved by this service. The outcomes under investigation included caregiver and child posttraumatic stress symptoms, child behavior problems, parenting stress, caregiver mental health, child protection notifications, and placement permanency goals. Participants and setting: Children were included in the study if they were aged between 2 and 7 years, had behavioral difficulties or trauma symptoms and/or their caregivers were experiencing parenting stress. Methods: Families were allocated to treatment group by clinician availability/preference (i.e., preference allocation). Caregivers were asked to report on child posttraumatic symptoms and behavioral issues; and to self-report on posttraumatic stress, general stress, parenting stress, and depression and anxiety at prescribed points in treatment. Findings: Sixty-eight children and their caregivers were treated with either PCIT (n = 22) or PCIT with TDI (n = 46). Statistically significant changes were observed for both treatment conditions for some of the outcomes of interest for both children (i.e., child behavioral problems, posttraumatic stress) and their caregivers (i.e., general stress, posttraumatic stress). There was no significant main effect of treatment on any of the outcomes of interest. Conclusion: Future research should include a randomized controlled trial to adequately determine the efficacy of PCIT versus PCIT with TDI with this population.
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spelling doaj-art-e5bc7a612acc4e4197a55bac7fa6f0322025-08-20T02:45:56ZengElsevierChild Protection and Practice2950-19382024-08-01210002810.1016/j.chipro.2024.100028A naturalistic evaluation of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and PCIT with trauma-directed interaction (PCIT with TDI) in Australian children exposed to abuse and neglectJessica M. Warren0Tanya L. Hanstock1Sally A. Hunt2Sean A. Halpin3Christina M. Warner-Metzger4Robin H. Gurwitch5School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Corresponding author. School of Psychological Sciences, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, AustraliaSchool of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Lot 1 Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, AustraliaSchool of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Lot 1 Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, AustraliaEvidence-based Practices and International Consulting (EPIC), LLC, Chicago, IL, 60605, USADuke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27701, USABackground: To optimize PCIT treatment with children exposed to abuse and neglect, PCIT with Trauma-Directed Interaction (PCIT with TDI) was created. Objective: The current study was a quasi-experimental cohort study (PCIT and PCIT with TDI treatment groups) with pre/post-treatment comparisons. The study was conducted in a statutory child protection agency and was a naturalistic evaluation of the outcomes achieved by this service. The outcomes under investigation included caregiver and child posttraumatic stress symptoms, child behavior problems, parenting stress, caregiver mental health, child protection notifications, and placement permanency goals. Participants and setting: Children were included in the study if they were aged between 2 and 7 years, had behavioral difficulties or trauma symptoms and/or their caregivers were experiencing parenting stress. Methods: Families were allocated to treatment group by clinician availability/preference (i.e., preference allocation). Caregivers were asked to report on child posttraumatic symptoms and behavioral issues; and to self-report on posttraumatic stress, general stress, parenting stress, and depression and anxiety at prescribed points in treatment. Findings: Sixty-eight children and their caregivers were treated with either PCIT (n = 22) or PCIT with TDI (n = 46). Statistically significant changes were observed for both treatment conditions for some of the outcomes of interest for both children (i.e., child behavioral problems, posttraumatic stress) and their caregivers (i.e., general stress, posttraumatic stress). There was no significant main effect of treatment on any of the outcomes of interest. Conclusion: Future research should include a randomized controlled trial to adequately determine the efficacy of PCIT versus PCIT with TDI with this population.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950193824000287
spellingShingle Jessica M. Warren
Tanya L. Hanstock
Sally A. Hunt
Sean A. Halpin
Christina M. Warner-Metzger
Robin H. Gurwitch
A naturalistic evaluation of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and PCIT with trauma-directed interaction (PCIT with TDI) in Australian children exposed to abuse and neglect
Child Protection and Practice
title A naturalistic evaluation of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and PCIT with trauma-directed interaction (PCIT with TDI) in Australian children exposed to abuse and neglect
title_full A naturalistic evaluation of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and PCIT with trauma-directed interaction (PCIT with TDI) in Australian children exposed to abuse and neglect
title_fullStr A naturalistic evaluation of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and PCIT with trauma-directed interaction (PCIT with TDI) in Australian children exposed to abuse and neglect
title_full_unstemmed A naturalistic evaluation of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and PCIT with trauma-directed interaction (PCIT with TDI) in Australian children exposed to abuse and neglect
title_short A naturalistic evaluation of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and PCIT with trauma-directed interaction (PCIT with TDI) in Australian children exposed to abuse and neglect
title_sort naturalistic evaluation of parent child interaction therapy pcit and pcit with trauma directed interaction pcit with tdi in australian children exposed to abuse and neglect
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950193824000287
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