An Equity-Focused Assessment of Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention Research
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Authors
Suzzane E.U. Kerns
Samuel J. Maddox
Ruth E Berhanu
Heather Allen
Rachel A. Wilson
Antonia Chiesa
Rebecca Orsi-Hunt
Lauren Pryce McCarthy
Lesly J Henry
Chaundrissa Oyeshiku Smith
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Journal Article, Academic Journal
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Abstract
Evidence-based parenting interventions (EBPI) support children and families to promote resilience, address emotional andbehavioral concerns, and prevent or address issues related to child maltreatment. Critiques of EBPIs include concerns abouttheir relevance and effectiveness for diverse populations when they are implemented at population scale. Research methodsthat center racial equity and include community-based participatory approaches have the potential to address some ofthese concerns. The purpose of the present review was to document the extent to which methods associated with promotingracial equity in research have been used in studies that contribute to the evidence base for programs that meet evidentiarystandards for a clearinghouse that was developed to support the Family First Prevention Services Act in the United States.We developed a coding system largely based on the Culturally Responsive Evaluation model. A sample of 47 papers that arepart of the evidence base for ten in-home parent skill-based programs were reviewed and coded. Only three of 28 possiblecodes were observed to occur in over half of the studies (including race/ethnicity demographic characteristics, conductingmeasure reliability for the study sample, and including information on socioeconomic status). Although the overall presenceof equity-informed methods was low, a positive trend was observed over time. This review highlights ways in whichrigorous research can incorporate racial equity into the planning, design, execution, and interpretation and dissemination ofprograms of study. We posit that doing so improves the external validity of studies while maintaining high-quality researchthat can contribute to an evidence base.