Category: Child / Adolescent - Trauma / Maltreatment
Lindsay Druskin, M.S.
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
Cheryl McNeil, Ph.D.
Professor
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
Rochelle Hanson, Ph.D.
Professor
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Lindsay Druskin, M.S.
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
Robin Gurwitch, Ph.D.
Professor
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina
Stevie Schein, Ph.D.
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware
Kelsey McCoy, M.A.
Psychology Inter
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
This symposium will focus on the assessment and treatment of key parenting risk factors for child abuse in young children. A large body of research has examined the trajectories of adverse psychological and behavioral sequelae, such as long-term physical health problems, mental health problems, incarceration, and substance abuse in children who are victims of and/or witness abuse in their home environment (Anda et al., 2006; Johnson, 2002; Malinosky-Rummell & Hansen, 1993). In order to inform prevention and intervention efforts to ultimately decrease the prevalence of child abuse and maltreatment, researchers have aimed to identify demographic and parent-level predictors (e.g., related parent behaviors and perceptions) shown to place families at risk for child abuse. Researchers have largely relied on the use of parent-report questionnaires to examine a variety of risk factors for child abuse (see Azar, 2002; Stith et al., 2009), leaving a gap in the research utilizing observations of parent-child interactions and teachers as informants. Further, it is estimated that many cases of child abuse go unreported, highlighting the critical need for thorough and valid evaluations for child abuse in at-risk samples. Accessing and providing interventions to at-risk populations through schools and community-based clinics illustrates promising new developments in the area of child abuse research.
The first presentation will focus on the importance of including observations of parent-child interactions in the standard evaluation of at-risk children and families, as observed harsh and critical parent behaviors predicted child abuse risk above and beyond parenting stress, disruptive child behavior, and single-parent status. The second presentation will describe a novel adaptation of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for addressing trauma symptoms in both parents and children. The third presentation will discuss the dissemination and implementation of the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up intervention program which targets the development of sensitive and nurturing caregiving in parents at risk for child maltreatment. The fourth presentation will focus on the role of socioemotional learning and other support available through Head Start programs for children who have significant familial risk factors, including maltreatment.
Presenter: Lindsay R. Druskin, M.S. – West Virginia University
Co-author: Jane Kohlhoff, Ph.D. – University of new South Wales Sydney
Co-author: Christopher Owen, M.S. – West Virginia University
Co-author: Robin Han, M.S.Ed. – West Virginia University
Co-author: Samantha N. Holbert, None – West Virginia University
Co-author: Cheryl B. McNeil, Ph.D. – West Virginia University
Presenter: Robin H. Gurwitch, Ph.D. – Duke University Medical Center
Co-author: Robin H. Gurwitch, Ph.D. – Duke University Medical Center
Presenter: Kelsey McCoy, M.A. – Medical University of South Carolina
Co-author: Corrie davies, Ph.D. – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Co-author: Mary Fran Flood, Ph.D. – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Co-author: David Hansen, Ph.D. – University of Nebraska-Lincoln