Parenting Interventions to Prevent Maltreatment and Enhance Parent–Child Relationships with Children Aged 0–17 Years

Publication Date: February 9, 2023
Last Updated: February 14, 2023

Summary of Recommendations

Recommendation 1. Parenting interventions for parents and caregivers of children aged 2–17 years in low- and middle-income countries

In low- and middle-income countries, evidence-based parenting interventions should be made readily accessible to all parents or caregivers of children aged 2–17 years, in group-based or individualized formats, delivered through a variety of stakeholders, including government organizations such as health, education or social services, and NGOs. (S, M)
620

Recommendation 2. Parenting interventions for parents and caregivers of children aged 2–10 years globally

Globally, evidence-based parenting interventions informed by social learning theory should be made readily accessible to all parents or caregivers of children aged 2–10 years, in group-based or individualized formats, delivered through a variety of stakeholders, including government organizations such as health, education or social services, and NGOs. (S, M)
620

Recommendation 3. Parenting interventions for parents and caregivers of adolescents aged 10–17 years in low- and middle-income countries

In low- and middle-income countries, evidence-based parenting interventions should be made readily accessible to all parents and caregivers of adolescents aged 10–17 years, in group-based or individualized formats that consider the specific needs of adolescents and parents of adolescents, delivered through a variety of stakeholders, including government organizations such as health, education or social services, and NGOs. (S, L)
620

Recommendation 4. Parenting interventions for parents and caregivers of children aged 0–17 years living in humanitarian settings in low- and middle-income countries

In humanitarian settings within low- and middle-income countries, evidence-based parenting interventions or broader evidence-based interventions with a parenting component should be made readily accessible to all parents and caregivers of children aged 0–17 years, in group-based or individualized formats that consider the impact on recipients’ mental health. (S, M)
620

Recommendation 5. Parenting interventions for parents and caregivers of children aged 0–3 years globally

Following the 2020 publication of Improving early childhood development: WHO guideline, to improve early childhood development:
• all infants and children should receive responsive care during the first 3 years of life and parents and other caregivers should be supported to provide responsive care;
• all infants and children should have early learning activities with their parents and other caregivers during the first 3 years of life, and parents and other caregivers should be supported to engage in early learning with their infants and children;
• support for responsive care and early learning should be included as part of interventions for optimal nutrition of infants and young children; and
• psychosocial interventions to support maternal mental health should be integrated into early childhood health and development services. (S, )
620

Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Parenting Interventions to Prevent Maltreatment and Enhance Parent-Child Relationships with Children Aged 0–17 Years

Authoring Organization

World Health Organization

Publication Month/Year

February 9, 2023

Last Updated Month/Year

April 1, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on parenting interventions for parents and caregivers of children aged 0–17 years that are designed to reduce child maltreatment and harsh parenting, enhance the parent–child relationship, and prevent poor mental health among parents and emotional and behavioural problems among children.

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adolescent, Child

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Childcare center, School

Intended Users

Counselor, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant, psychologist, social worker

Keywords

Child maltreatment, parenting, caregivers, harsh parenting, strict, discipline

Source Citation

WHO guidelines on parenting interventions to prevent maltreatment and enhance parent–child relationships with children aged 0–17 years. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Evidence Tables