Jacqueline Corcoran

Effectiveness of Prevention Programs for Adolescent Pregnancy: A Meta-Analysis.

Meta-analysis allows studies to be systematically quantified so that their results can be summarized statistically on a common scale of effect size. Findings are presented from a meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of pregnancy prevention programs. 32 outcome studies on the primary prevention of adolescent pregnancy were analyzed and several moderator variables examined in relationship to the findings. Sexual activity contraceptive use and pregnancy rates or childbirths were analyzed independently in 3 separate meta-analyses. The analyses found that the pregnancy prevention programs examined have no effect upon adolescents sexual activity. Enough evidence was however found to support the efficacy of pregnancy prevention programs in increasing contraceptive use. Some evidence was also found to support program effectiveness in reducing pregnancy rates.

Risk and Resilience Ecological Framework for Assessment and Goal Formulation

This paper describes the use of the risk and resilience ecological framework as an assessment and goal setting tool for social workers. A rationale for the framework is provided, along with identification of risk and protective factors across the micro, meso, and macro level systems. Goal formulation from identification of factors follow, with implications for social work interventions.

Family interventions with child physical abuse and neglect: A critical review

This article critically reviews the resexch on family treatments for child physical abuse and neglect. Studies are organized according to the theoretical orientation of the intervention and include behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, family therapy, social network, and atheoretical treatments. After discussion of findings, a critique is offered, as well as su ggestions for strengthening future research. Finally, service delivery recommendations are explored.

Effectiveness of secondary pregnancy prevention programs: A meta-analysis.

Because subsequent pregnancy in teen parents often worsens the impact of adolescent parenting; therefore, a common goal of teenage parent programs has been to reduce repeat pregnancy. To examine the impact of this goal, a meta-analysis was conducted on 16 control-comparison group studies that evaluated the effect of teenage pregnancy and parenting programs on pregnancy rates. At the first follow-up period at which programs assessed outcome (average 19.13 months), interventions produced a 50% reduction in the odds of pregnancy compared to comparison-control conditions, but by second follow-up (average 31 mos.), the effect had dissipated. Moderator analyses were also performed. Implications are that secondary pregnancy prevention programs are effective in reducing teenage pregnancy—at least at 19 months following the intervention—although there is little to recommend “comprehensive” approaches to programming over others.

A Meta-Analysis of Parent-Involved Treatment for Child Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in children not only occurs with alarming frequency, it also potentially leads to deleterious consequences for victims. Previous narrative reviews have touted the benefits of including the nonoffending caregiver in child sexual treatment. Objective: A meta-analysis is conducted to determine the effects of parent-involved treatment in four major child symptom areas: internalizing, externalizing, sexualized behaviors, and posttraumatic stress. Method: Only comparison/control group studies are included. Participant, treatment, and methodological characteristics of studies are coded, as well as information to calculate effect sizes. An overall effect size is calculated, though the small number of studies precluded moderator analysis. Results: Seven studies are located that met the inclusion criteria. At posttest, treatment had small effects in the four outcome domains over alternative interventions and was reduced still further at follow-up. Conclusion: Parent-involved treatment confers some advantage over comparison conditions (typically child-only treatment).

Ecological Factors Associated with Adolescent Sexual Activity

ABSTRACT Bronfenbrenners (1979) ecological systems theory was used as an organizing framework for the research on teenage sexual activity. Per Bronfenbrenners theory, the literature is discussed according to macrolevel (system-wide), mesolevel (immediate social environment), and microlevel (individual) factors that are associated with adolescent sexual involvement. Following the review, implications for social work are explored.

Parent Involvement in Treatment for ADHD: A Meta-Analysis of the Published Studies:

Given high rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosed in children, knowledge of effective treatment is crucial. To this end, a meta-analysis of parent-involved psychosocial treatment was undertaken to determine its effect on a number of outcomes salient to children with ADHD. Sixteen studies met the criteria for the meta-analysis. Findings indicated that the impact of treatment on ADHD was low compared to comparison and/or control conditions, whereas child-internalizing symptoms and academic problems were better affected by family involvement. Teachers reported the highest effect sizes followed by parents themselves. Although parent involvement might be important for affecting the internalizing symptoms and academic problems that plague children with ADHD, ADHD and externalizing symptoms might be better targeted by other interventions.

In of Defense of Mothers Sexual Abuse Victims

This review synthesizes the clinical and empirical literature on mothers of sexual abuse victims. Evidence is cited that maternal reaction is crucial to a childs recovery from sexual abuse. Also explored are those variables involved in a mothers belief in her childs account and the supportive actions she is able to take to protect her child. The more recent empirical work challenges earlier clinical discussions of maternal culpability in cases of sexual abuse perpetration; however, certain societal biases and oppressive social conditions that contribute to “mother-blaming” and that also interfere with a mothers ability to protect her children have been neglected. These biases and social conditions, as well as suggestions for social work practice, will be explored.

A Comparison Group Study of Solution-Focused Therapy versus “Treatment-as-Usual” for Behavior Problems in Children

Abstract Behavior problems are the most common reason that children and adolescents are referred to treatment. This study presents a rationale for the application of solution-focused therapy to behavior problems and tests this assumption. Children who were referred from the school setting for behavior problems (N = 239) were treated with either solution-focused therapy or “treatment-as-usual” at a school of social work-sponsored mental health clinic. Hypotheses for this quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design were that treatment engagement would be higher in the solution-focused therapy group and that the solution-focused therapy group children over the “treatment-as-usual” group would show greater improvement according to both parent and child reports. Logistic regression and MANOVA were the data analysis procedures to test hypotheses. Findings were as follows; the solution-focused therapy group had better treatment engagement, but there were no statistically significant differences between groups on perceptions of child behaviors from either parents (Conners Parent Rating Scale) or child reports (Feelings, Attitudes, and Behaviors Scale for Children). An examination of pre-and posttest differences over time for each group indicated similar improvements in treatment according to parent reports. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Treatment outcome research with the non-offending parents of sexually abused children: a critical review.

ABSTRACT Potentially deleterious effects arise from the experience of childhood sexual abuse, but maternal supportiveness has been identified as a crucial mediator. Consequently, a body of knowledge has begun to develop on interventions designed to improve the supportiveness and adjustment of the non-offending parent. The present paper attempts to provide a critical review of the treatment outcomes reported for these new interventions. Studies have been organized according to the sexually abused childs stage of development: preschool, school-aged, and adolescence. Recommendations for service delivery and research follow.