1 - (SYM 46) Parent-child Interaction Therapy for Families with Current or past Corrections Involvement

Mothers with involvement with the corrections system are commonly recommended or mandated to complete a variety of services, however few women receive trauma-informed, evidence-based parent coaching programming along with their children, focused on facilitating attachment bonds, strengthening the family at the time of reunification, and reducing challenging child behaviors, parenting stress and risk for child abuse. This is particularly concerning as effective parent-child interventions exist and are available across community-based settings. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is a well-established evidence-based treatment for caregivers of young children (aged 2.5–7 years), which has been shown to reduce child disruptive behaviors, parenting-related stress and child abuse risk. The current project examines PCIT provided by community therapists working with families with current or past corrections involvement. Caregiver data includes pre and post-PCIT evaluations to examine effectiveness on child and caregiver outcomes (e.g., parent positive attending skills a and effective commands, child disruptive behavior and parental stress related to parent-child dysfunctional interactions. Additionally, clinician report of PCIT feasibility, usability and acceptability will be reported. Qualitative data will be collected using a semi-structured focus group to explore specific strategies used to increase engagement and reduce attrition prior to treatment completion.