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. 2022 Feb;23(2):321-339.
doi: 10.1007/s11121-021-01303-x. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Caregiver Participation Engagement in Child Mental Health Prevention Programs: a Systematic Review

Rachel Haine-Schlagel  1   2 , Kelsey S Dickson  3   4 , Teresa Lind  3   4 , Joanna J Kim  5 , Gina C May  6 , Natalia Escobar Walsh  7   8 , Vanja Lazarevic  3 , Brent R Crandal  9 , May Yeh  4   7   10
Affiliations

Caregiver Participation Engagement in Child Mental Health Prevention Programs: a Systematic Review

Rachel Haine-Schlagel et al. Prev Sci. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Prevention programs are a key method to reduce the prevalence and impact of mental health disorders in childhood and adolescence. Caregiver participation engagement (CPE), which includes caregiver participation in sessions as well as follow-through with homework plans, is theorized to be an important component in the effectiveness of these programs. This systematic review aims to (1) describe the terms used to operationalize CPE and the measurement of CPE in prevention programs, (2) identify factors associated with CPE, (3) examine associations between CPE and outcomes, and (4) explore the effects of strategies used to enhance CPE. Thirty-nine articles representing 27 unique projects were reviewed. Articles were included if they examined CPE in a program that focused to some extent on preventing child mental health disorders. There was heterogeneity in both the terms used to describe CPE and the measurement of CPE. The majority of projects focused on assessment of caregiver home practice. There were no clear findings regarding determinants of CPE. With regard to the impact of CPE on program outcomes, higher levels of CPE predicted greater improvements in child and caregiver outcomes, as well as caregiver-child relationship quality. Finally, a small number of studies found that motivational and behavioral strategies (e.g., reinforcement, appointment reminders) were successful in promoting CPE. This review highlights the importance of considering CPE when developing, testing, and implementing prevention programs for child mental health disorders. Increased uniformity is needed in the measurement of CPE to facilitate a better understanding of determinants of CPE. In addition, the field would benefit from further evaluating strategies to increase CPE as a method of increasing the potency of prevention programs.

Keywords: Caregiver; Children; Engagement; Mental health; Participation; Prevention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA figure. Q1 caregiver participation measured, Q2 study examined a single or group of program(s), Q3 program focused at least in part on addressing child mental health disorders, Q4 pro gram was preventive in nature for child mental health disorders (versus treatment for an already diagnosed disorder), Q5 original quantitative data analyses that ask an inferential research question
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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