Integrating Early Child Development and Violence Prevention Programs: A Systematic Review. Issue 159 (14th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Efevbera, Yvette; McCoy, Dana C.; Wuermli, Alice J.; Betancourt, Theresa S.
• Editors: Leckman, James F.; Britto, Pia Rebello
• Is Part Of: New directions for child and adolescent development. Issue 159(2018)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2018-03-14
• Subjects: child maltreatment -- early childhood development -- prevention -- developing countries -- systematic review; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; Youth -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 305.231
• DOI: 10.1002/cad.20230
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1520-3247

Abstract

Abstract: Limited evidence describes promoting development and reducing violence in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), a missed opportunity to protect children and promote development and human capital. This study presents a systematic literature review of integrated early childhood development plus violence prevention (ECD+VP) interventions in LMICs. The search yielded 5, 244 unique records, of which N = 6 studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions were in Chile, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Mozambique, and Turkey. Five interventions were parent education programs, including center‐based sessions (n = 3) and home visiting (n = 2), while one intervention was a teacher education program. All but one study reported improvements in both child development and maltreatment outcomes. The dearth of evidence on ECD+VP interventions suggests additional research is needed. Integrated ECD+VP interventions may improve multiple child outcome domains while leveraging limited resources in LMICs.