Parenting Programs for Child Abuse Prevention

Enrolling by invitation at 1 trial location

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: University of Notre Dame

Disqualifiers: Significant mental disorder, Cognitive impairment, Miscarriage, Infant death, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 14

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if specific parenting programs can prevent child abuse and improve the mother-child relationship by addressing challenges like intimate partner violence (IPV). The study will test various combinations of programs delivered during pregnancy and early childhood, including the Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program and Reminiscing and Emotion Training. Pregnant women who have experienced IPV in the past year and can speak English may be suitable candidates for this study. The goal is to identify effective ways to support families and reduce the risk of child maltreatment. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the effectiveness of these programs in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to significant findings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that the Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program (PMEP) is linked to fewer cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) among participants compared to non-participants. This suggests the program might be a safe choice, as reduced IPV can improve health and well-being for both mothers and their children.

Similarly, the Reminiscing and Emotion Training (RET) program has helped prevent child abuse, including emotional and physical harm. Studies have not identified any major negative effects from participating in RET, indicating it is generally well-received.

Both programs have undergone testing with participants, providing some evidence of their safety. However, as they remain under study, further research is needed to fully understand their safety and effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these programs because they offer innovative approaches to preventing child abuse by targeting both pregnant mothers and early childhood development. The Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program (PMEP) is unique in its focus on empowering expectant mothers with resources and support during pregnancy, which is a crucial time for influencing future parenting practices. The Reminiscing and Emotion Training (RET) enhances parent-child interactions by teaching parents how to effectively communicate and manage emotions with their children, fostering a nurturing environment. Unlike traditional approaches that may focus solely on intervention after issues arise, these programs aim to proactively build strong, healthy family dynamics from pregnancy through early childhood.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective in preventing child maltreatment?

This trial will compare different parenting programs for child abuse prevention. Participants may receive the Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program (PMEP). Research has shown that PMEP helps women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) by improving their views on parenting, leading to better practices. Specifically, studies found that women in PMEP experienced less IPV and had better mental health, suggesting that PMEP can help prevent child abuse by promoting healthier family relationships.

Another group will receive the Reminiscing and Emotion Training (RET). Research indicates that RET reduces child abuse, especially neglect, by helping parents and children discuss feelings, which can prevent future emotional and behavioral problems in children. This method has shown promising results in reducing abuse by strengthening parent-child bonds. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kathryn H Howell, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Kristin Valentino, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Notre Dame

Laura Miller-Graff, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Notre Dame

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for pregnant women and their young children, aiming to prevent child maltreatment and exposure to domestic violence. It's designed for those who could benefit from support in the mother-child relationship. Specific eligibility details are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a woman who speaks English.

I am pregnant and between 10 to 30 weeks along.

I have experienced intimate partner violence in the last year.

Exclusion Criteria

Mothers who have experienced miscarriage, infant death, or who no longer have custody of the child with whom they were pregnant with when they participated in the PMEP trial arm

I do not have a mental health condition that affects my understanding or participation.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

PMEP Treatment

Participants receive the Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program (PMEP) intervention, which includes five group sessions focusing on empowerment and parenting skills.

16 months

5 group sessions (in-person)

RET Treatment

Participants engage in the Reminiscing and Emotion Training (RET) program, which includes five virtual sessions aimed at enhancing parent-child communication.

11 months

5 virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at various intervals.

12 months

4 follow-up assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program
• Reminiscing and Emotion Training

Trial Overview The study tests if combining prenatal programs with early childhood interventions can help prevent child abuse. It uses a 2x2 factorial design, meaning participants receive either one program or both, to see which combination is most effective.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Pregnancy - Active Control + RET Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

In pregnancy: Women who are not randomized to PMEP participate in a contact-equivalent, non-directive social support group. In early-childhood: Women participant in the RET.

Group II: PMEP + RET Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

In pregnancy: PMEP In early childhood: Reminiscing and Emotion Training Program

Group III: PMEP + ECM Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

In pregnancy: PMEP In early childhood: enhanced case management

Group IV: Pregnancy - Active Control + ECM Active Control 2 Interventions

In pregnancy: Women not randomized to PMEP will participate in a contact-equivalent, nondirective social support group. In early childhood: Families who are not randomized to the RET condition will be mailed a kit containing 5 packets to be opened weekly. Each packet includes a family activity and a newsletter with parenting materials.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Notre Dame

Lead Sponsor

Trials

36

Recruited

60,000+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Mom Power (MP) program, a 13-session intervention for high-risk mothers and their young children, showed promise in improving maternal mental health by significantly reducing depression and PTSD symptoms among participants, particularly those with pre-existing mental health diagnoses.

Participation in the MP program was associated with improved parenting competence, with a notable dose-response effect indicating that mothers who attended at least 70% of the sessions experienced greater benefits compared to those who attended fewer sessions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mom Power: preliminary outcomes of a group intervention to improve mental health and parenting among high-risk mothers. Muzik, M., Rosenblum, KL., Alfafara, EA., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. shaw.nd.edu shaw.nd.edu/research/the-pregnant-moms-empowerment-program/

The Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program ... abuse. Research Overview. Intimate partner violence (IPV), including threats ... The Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program, if effective, has significant ...

2. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/S7KU1MZSPEaLSQftkirLWw/project-details/11158922

Project Details - NIH RePORTER Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), child abuse, and neglect are particularly detrimental and frequently co-occur. IPV, which typically has an onset ...

3. psycnet.apa.org psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-57233-003.pdf?sr=1

Long-Term Effects of the Pregnant Moms' Empowerment ... The Abuse. Assessment Screen was successful in accurately identifying women exposed to IPV—at the baseline assessment, all participants endorsed the presence of ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/parenting-programs-for-child-abuse-prevention-0e9d3

Parenting Programs for Child Abuse Prevention What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program, Reminiscing and Emotion Training for child abuse prevention? The ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/395136079_Long-Term_Effects_of_the_Pregnant_Moms'_Empowerment_Program_PMEP_on_Intimate_Partner_Violence_Revictimization_Maternal_Mental_Health_and_Child_Internalizing_and_Externalizing_Problems

Long-Term Effects of the Pregnant Moms' Empowerment ... Results showed that women who received PMEP had more appropriate expectations of children ... Abuse Scale, SPAN (Startle, Physiological Arousal, ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40875361/

Long-term effects of the Pregnant Moms' Empowerment ... Poisson regression analyses indicated that women who received PMEP reported significantly fewer intimate partner violence experiences than women in the control ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613817301687

Parenting self-efficacy and empowerment among ... M. Velez et al. Parenting knowledge among substance abusing women in treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.

8. globalhealth.nd.edu globalhealth.nd.edu/research/pregnant-moms-empowerment-program/

Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program | Research IPV during pregnancy is not only associated with decrements in maternal functioning, but children born to IPV-exposed women are more likely to have poor birth ...

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01933555

Impact of Women's Empowerment Program for Abused ... To evaluate the effect of women's empowerment program administered to abused women in order to reduce domestic abuse, improving health status ...