Prevention of child physical abuse and neglect: Promising new directions

Intervention studies targeting risk factors to child physical abuse and neglect are reviewed. Programs that addressed parental competency enhancement with a wide range of at-risk individuals, including new parents and teen parents, formed the principal data base. Outcome evaluation studies using an appropriate research methodology were identified from 1977 to 1990 (N = 34). Maternal global adjustment and child-rearing skills were principal …