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Can community-based interventions prevent child maltreatment?

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  • van Dijken, M.W.
  • Stams, G.J.J.M.
  • de Winter, M.

Abstract

Despite the many efforts taken to prevent child maltreatment, this continues to be a significant worldwide problem. Interventions predominantly focus on ‘at risk’ populations and individual characteristics of the victim or abuser, but is that enough? The present review was designed to examine the potential of community-based programmes, those that target the problem solving and helping processes in the community, and thereby aim to prevent child maltreatment. We searched for theoretical and empirical indications and for available programmes that focus on neighbourhood processes, based on the assumption that positive outcomes may not just be changes in individual behaviours, but may also include changes in community capacity. We found strong theoretical evidence that for stable and long-term behavioural changes it seems necessary to also develop activities aimed at changing distal social contexts surrounding the family, including neighbourhood and school factors, that is, the public domain. We argue that a strong social environment is a necessary condition for the prevention of child maltreatment. Community-based interventions can strengthen the socialising quality of the social environment. Since the high prevalence of child maltreatment remains a significant problem, despite the availability of effective family interventions, preventive interventions should target the wider social context of the family, in particular neighbourhood factors. Scientific literature generally showed that community-based interventions targeting neighbourhood processes are promising, although effectiveness should still be established. Empirical evidence is necessary to further develop promising community-based approaches for the prevention of child maltreatment.

Suggested Citation

  • van Dijken, M.W. & Stams, G.J.J.M. & de Winter, M., 2016. "Can community-based interventions prevent child maltreatment?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 149-158.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:61:y:2016:i:c:p:149-158
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.12.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Freisthler, Bridget, 2004. "A spatial analysis of social disorganization, alcohol access, and rates of child maltreatment in neighborhoods," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(9), pages 803-819, September.
    2. Rajagopal, 2014. "The Human Factors," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Architecting Enterprise, chapter 9, pages 225-249, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. Freisthler, Bridget, 2004. "Corrigendum to "A spatial analysis of social disorganization, alcohol access, and rates of child maltreatment in neighborhoods" [Chilren and Youth Services Review 26 (2004) 803-819]," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(12), pages 1193-1192, December.
    4. Hermanns, Jo M.A. & Asscher, Jessica J. & Zijlstra, Bonne J.H. & Hoffenaar, Peter J. & Dekovič, Maja, 2013. "Long-term changes in parenting and child behavior after the Home-Start family support program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 678-684.
    5. McLeroy, K.R. & Norton, B.L. & Kegler, M.C. & Burdine, J.N. & Sumaya, C.V., 2003. "Community-based interventions," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(4), pages 529-533.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Kulam, Adam, 2021. "US Community Development Capital Initiative (CDCI)," Journal of Financial Crises, Yale Program on Financial Stability (YPFS), vol. 3(3), pages 786-820, April.
    3. Helton, Jesse J. & Moore, Amy R. & Henrichsen, Courtney, 2018. "Food security status of mothers at-risk for child maltreatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 263-269.
    4. Cheung, Chau-kiu, 2016. "Preventing physical child abuse by legal punishment and neighbor help," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 45-51.
    5. Rumping, S.M. & Boendermaker, L. & Fukkink, R.G., 2022. "What works for whom: A realist synthesis of neighbourhood interventions for families in the community," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).

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