Key DSPI research underpins new WHO guidelines on parenting interventions to prevent child maltreatment
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued new guidelines on parenting interventions, aimed at preventing child maltreatment and improving parent-child relationships. Child maltreatment is a global problem and the guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on parenting interventions for children aged 0-17 years.
The guidelines were developed with the help of researchers from the Department of Social Policy and Intervention (DSPI) at the University of Oxford and the Global Parenting Initiative (GPI). GPI leadership member Professor Frances Gardner led a team of researchers to conduct the systematic reviews, Sophia Backhaus of DSPI wrote the WHO guidelines document, while Professor Gardner, Professor Lucie Cluver (GPI) and Sophia Backhaus were key members of the Guideline Development Group. Other contributors from DSPI and the GPI include Dr Jamie Lachman, Professor Jane Barlow, Roselinde Janowski, Mackenzie Martin, Moa Schafer, Dr Amalee McCoy, Prof GJ Melendez-Torres, Dr Yulia Shenderovich and Wendy Knerr.
The team was involved in conducting systematic reviews of global evidence, and in developing recommendations for policy makers. The guidelines make five recommendations for parenting interventions, with implementation plans and evidence for each.
This is the first WHO guideline on parent and caregiver support interventions aimed at reducing child maltreatment and enhancing parent-child relationships.
