Parent-Child Interaction Therapy in Child Welfare

Abstract

Parent training programs are the most common type of service prescribed for parents in the child welfare system. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based model originally developed as a parent-mediated treatment for disruptive behavior problems in preschool-age children, has been adapted as an intervention for maltreating parents of preschool- and school-age children. PCIT uses behavioral principles to: (a) increase positive parenting skills; (b) enhance the parent-child relationship; (c) establish effective and consistent behavior management strategies; and (d) decrease child behavior problems. The adapted version of PCIT for child welfare populations includes a motivational enhancement component which has been found necessary for reducing child welfare recidivism. Additional PCIT research findings indicate significant improvements in mental health and behavior among children in the child welfare system. The PCIT model is flexible and has been extended to home-based services and foster care settings. The fact that PCIT robustly delivers two types of benefits (i.e. reduced recidivism risk among abusive parents and improved wellbeing and behavior among children) in one compact and focused intervention makes it particularly appealing for child welfare service systems. This chapter describes PCIT and the adaptations that have been made for use in child welfare. The chapter also addresses cross-cultural adaptations of PCIT and summarizes some barriers and related implementation strategies.