Behavioral intervention strategies with child abusive parents: A home intervention program

This article describes a therapeutic program for child abusive parents that is psychoeducationally based and is conducted through home visits by trained behavioral interventionists. The immediate goals of the intervention are to teach abusive parents effective child management procedures based on social learning therapy and to modify faulty or excessive expectations these parents have toward the behavior of their children. The general model is discussed as well as criteria for selection of parents for home intervention services, the differences between home intervention with abusive and non-abusive parents and the procedures used in home intervention services. A general discussion is also provided of the various goals and stages through which parents progress.