Paolla Magioni Santini

Parenting Programs to Prevent Corporal Punishment: A Systematic Review

Studies have shown that corporal punishment against children is a common family practice, causing damage to child development. Considering that parents are the main perpetrators of this type of aggression, parenting programs are needed to raise children without violence. This study aimed at performing a systematic review of parenting programs evaluations to reduce corporal punishment. Intervention procedures, as well as design, results and limitations were identified for each study. The PRISMA protocol (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used for reporting the results. A literature survey was conducted in Brazilian databases, as well as English ones from 1994-2014. One Brazilian study and eight international studies were selected as relevant, and only four used randomized controlled trials (RCT). All studies reported satisfactory results in decreasing aggression by parents against their children. Further research in the area with solid methodology is recommended.

A randomized controlled trial of an intervention program to Brazilian mothers who use corporal punishment

This study evaluated a positive parenting program to Brazilian mothers who used corporal punishment with their children. The intervention was conducted in four agencies serving vulnerable children, and at a home replica laboratory at the University. Mothers who admitted using corporal punishment were randomly assigned between experimental (n=20) and control group (n=20). The program consisted of 12 individual sessions using one unit from Projeto Parceria (Partnership Project), with specific guidelines and materials on positive parenting, followed by observational sessions of mother-child interaction with live coaching and a video feedback session in the lab. The study used an equivalent group experimental design with pre/post-test and follow-up, in randomized controlled trials. Measures involved: Initial Interview; Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) - parent and child versions; Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); observational sessions with a protocol; and a Program Evaluation by participants. Analysis of mixed models for repeated measures revealed significant positive effects on the BDI and SDQ total scores, as well as less Conduct problems and Hyperactivity in SDQ measures from the experimental group mothers, comparing pre with post-test. Observational data also indicated significant improvement in positive interaction from the experimental group mothers at post-test, in comparison with controls. No significant results were found, however, in childrens observational measures. Limitations of the study involved using a restricted sample, among others. Implications for future research are suggested.

Children of Incarcerated Women in Brazil: Vulnerability and Traumatic Experiences in Their Lives

This study aims at identifying possible traumatic experiences, feelings, and emotions faced by children of incarcerated women. A structured interview was conducted with 150 incarcerated women at a womens prison in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Participants reported a total of 441 children, of which 297 were younger than 12 years old, and their average age was 7.5 years old. 67.4% of the children lived with their mothers at the time of incarceration, and 15.1% had witnessed their arrest. Participants reported that 24.02% of children were sad and 12.7% of them cried very much when their mothers were arrested. 57.3 % of the children were under the care of maternal relatives while their mothers were incarcerated, and in 20% of the cases the father of the child was also incarcerated. Mothers reported that 38.1% of the children were exposed to domestic violence by the father against the mother prior to incarceration. Results indicate several potential situations of vulnerability and trauma experienced by these chil...