Preventing Child Abuse in Infants

The purpose of this study is to compare 2 approaches (interventions) to prevent child-abuse (maltreatment) in infants: Psychoeducational Home Visitation (PHV) vs Infant-Parent Psychotherapy (IPP). Non-maltreated infants and their mothers are studied as a comparison group. Twelve-month-old infants and their mothers are assigned randomly (like tossing a coin) to receive 1 of 3 types of intervention for 12 months: 1) Services normally available in the community when a family is reported for child maltreatment (Child Protective Services, CPS); 2) CPS involvement plus weekly PHV; 3) CPS involvement plus weekly IPP. Intervention will be provided until the infant's second birthday. All mother-infant pairs (including comparison non-maltreated infants and their mothers) will be assessed when the infant is 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months old. Assessments will look at the effectiveness of the intervention in preventing child maltreatment, improving parenting, and reducing future abuse. The study will last for 3 years. Eligibility includes a mother and her 12-month-old child that has been abused by her (the mother) or the father. (Non-maltreated infants and their mothers also will be enrolled.)