Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with a Family at High Risk for Physical Abuse

Abstract

The use of empirically validated treatments with physically abusive and at-risk families continues to be an issue requiring further clinical and research attention. This single-case study discusses the effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) with a mother-child dyad considered to be at high risk for physical abuse. Although PCIT is effective with different populations and in different settings, no study to date has demonstrated the effectiveness of PCIT with physically abusive families or families at risk for physical abuse. Data are presented from behavioral observations and standardized measures. Results suggest that PCIT was effective in reducing the child's behavior problems and the mother's stress, and increasing the number of positive parent-child interactions. Finally, implications for future clinical and research work on physically abusive and at-risk families are discussed.