TWP program can reduce incidence of child ACEs and increase parent-child communication and child help-seeking behaviors<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2024 (HealthDay News) — A seven-session program that teaches skills to prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in a largely indigenous population shows promise for preventing ACEs, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Pediatrics<\/em>.<\/p>\n Katie M. Edwards, Ph.D., from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, and colleagues randomly assigned 124 families (96 percent Indigenous; 90 percent with yearly income <$40,000) with 194 children aged 10 to 14 years to treatment (66 families and 173 individuals) or to wait-list (58 families and 145 individuals) control groups. Treatment included a seven-session program (Tiwahe Wicagwicayapi program [TWP]), which teaches skills to prevent ACEs that are rooted in Lakota culture, language, and history.<\/p>\n The researchers detected treatment effects, indicating reductions in the incidence of child ACEs (incidence rate ratio, 0.64), bullying victimization (odds ratio, 0.35), depression (d<\/em> = \u00e2\u0088\u00920.20), and externalizing behaviors (d<\/em> = \u00e2\u0088\u00920.23) compared with control participants; in addition, increases were seen in parent-child communication (g<\/em> = 0.27) and child help-seeking behaviors (d<\/em> = 0.28). The program prevented intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration for caregivers (incidence rate ratios, 0.36 and 0.45, respectively), as well as harsh parenting (g<\/em> = \u00e2\u0088\u00920.27), depression (d<\/em> = \u00e2\u0088\u00920.24), and increased emotional regulation, social support, and cultural connection (d <\/em>= 0.37, 0.33, and 0.34, respectively).<\/p>\n “The TWP holds great promise to prevent ACEs among low-income, Indigenous children,” the authors write. “The program also moved the needle on a number of other outcomes, showing potential promise for widespread public health impact among a highly structurally minoritized population.”<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n