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Safe Start Promising Approaches Communities
DALLAS, TX
Southern Methodist University
Department of Psychology
Box 0442
Dallas, TX 75275-0442
972.989.4467
Purpose
To enhance the quality of life for children from 3 to 9 years of age in extremely violent families. To improve the mother’s relationship with aggressive and distressed children, improve child mental health outcomes, and reduce further incidences of violence and child maltreatment.
Interventions
Project Support: Families who sought refuge at domestic violence shelters and whose children exhibit clinical levels of adjustment problems begin receiving services during the transition period, which occurs shortly after leaving a shelter. For an hour a week for at least 6 months, the family receives joint visits at their home from a service provider and mentor. The service provider works one-on-one with the mother while the mentor interacts with the children. Once the family has gained stability, the second component of intervention begins, during which the service provider and mentor model mother-child management skills through interactions with the children that are based on the strengths and weaknesses of the mother and child. Interventions (including mentoring and treatment for children with elevated adjustment problems) are also available for children.
Motivational Interviewing: The program engages mothers in two sessions of motivational interviewing designed to enhance their motivation to learn and apply effective child management strategies.
Community Capacity Building: Project Support emphasizes expanding the Dallas, Fort Worth capacity to respond to the needs of young children exposed to violence by providing training to domestic violence agencies. It also seeks to build the skills necessary for addressing children’s exposure to violence by providing undergraduate and graduate courses and practicum experiences.
Promising or Evidence Based Practices
Project Support: Jouriles, E., McDonald, R., Spiller, L., Norwood, W., and Swantk, P. (2001). Reducing Conduct Problems Among Children of Battered Women. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology 69, 774-785.
Motivational Interviewing: Hettema, J., Steele J., and Miller, W.R. (2005). A Meta-Analysis of Research on Motivational Interviewing Treatment Effectiveness (MARMITE). Annual Review of Clinical Psychology 1, 91-111. |
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