A Scoping Review of Technology Applications in Evidence-Based Programs for Child Maltreatment Pre- and Post-COVID-19
Abstract
Introduction: Evidence-based programs (EBP) are the hallmark recommendation to address sequelae among children who have experienced child maltreatment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these programs adopted existing or novel digital tools to assist with uninterrupted access to services for youth. However, it is unclear how the use of technology changed pre- to post-COVID-19, and whether technological adaptations affected youth engagement and outcomes.
Purpose: The aim of this scoping review is to better understand the use of technology across EBPs prior to and following the pandemic, and its impact on youth outcomes.
Methods: Articles were included if they examined EBPs for youth experiencing child maltreatment as determined by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse, used or evaluated technological adaptations in the program of interest, were in English, and were published between 2000-2023. We searched four academic databases, including Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Psych Articles, PsychInfo, and PubMed. We included grey literature in our findings. Reference lists of articles of select articles were also reviewed. An initial search has yielded 1452 articles. Preliminary findings suggest 7 peer reviewed articles meeting inclusion criteria. Two additional articles evaluated parent-child dyadic outcomes. Among currently identified articles, two uses of technology were noted: 1) Virtual delivery of programs (n=7) and 2) tools for engagement for children (n=2). Significant decreases in mental health symptomology and increases in engagement and retention were noted among applicable interventions using technology. No programs were identified that evaluated COVID-19 specific technology augmentations. However, the search is currently ongoing. Results will be updated at the time of presentation.
Conclusion: Preliminary findings support effectiveness of the use of technology with EBPs to improve programmatic delivery and outcomes among children. Importantly, and although ongoing, this search reveals few articles evaluating the use of technology among programs post-COVID, suggesting the need to rigorously evaluate digital tools.
Keywords
child maltreatment, COVID-19, technology, evidence-based programs
A Scoping Review of Technology Applications in Evidence-Based Programs for Child Maltreatment Pre- and Post-COVID-19
Introduction: Evidence-based programs (EBP) are the hallmark recommendation to address sequelae among children who have experienced child maltreatment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these programs adopted existing or novel digital tools to assist with uninterrupted access to services for youth. However, it is unclear how the use of technology changed pre- to post-COVID-19, and whether technological adaptations affected youth engagement and outcomes.
Purpose: The aim of this scoping review is to better understand the use of technology across EBPs prior to and following the pandemic, and its impact on youth outcomes.
Methods: Articles were included if they examined EBPs for youth experiencing child maltreatment as determined by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse, used or evaluated technological adaptations in the program of interest, were in English, and were published between 2000-2023. We searched four academic databases, including Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Psych Articles, PsychInfo, and PubMed. We included grey literature in our findings. Reference lists of articles of select articles were also reviewed. An initial search has yielded 1452 articles. Preliminary findings suggest 7 peer reviewed articles meeting inclusion criteria. Two additional articles evaluated parent-child dyadic outcomes. Among currently identified articles, two uses of technology were noted: 1) Virtual delivery of programs (n=7) and 2) tools for engagement for children (n=2). Significant decreases in mental health symptomology and increases in engagement and retention were noted among applicable interventions using technology. No programs were identified that evaluated COVID-19 specific technology augmentations. However, the search is currently ongoing. Results will be updated at the time of presentation.
Conclusion: Preliminary findings support effectiveness of the use of technology with EBPs to improve programmatic delivery and outcomes among children. Importantly, and although ongoing, this search reveals few articles evaluating the use of technology among programs post-COVID, suggesting the need to rigorously evaluate digital tools.
