Effects of a Parenting Intervention on Child Maltreatment among Filipino Families: Testing Mechanisms of Change

Effects of a Parenting Intervention on Child Maltreatment among Filipino Families: Testing Mechanisms of Change

by Matthew Laurence A Uy, PhD in Clinical Psychology Candidate

ABSTRACT:

The Masayang Pamilya para sa Batang Pilipino (MaPa) program is an evidence-based, culturally adapted parenting program designed to reduce child maltreatment in Filipino families. In a randomized controlled trial, families who received MaPa had significant reductions in risk of child maltreatment compared to control families, both at post-intervention and at one-year follow-up. However, the mechanisms by which the reduction in risk for child maltreatment is sustained have yet to be established. This study investigates two potential mediators of the sustained effects of MaPa on the risk of child maltreatment: overreactive parenting and positive parenting. 

An analysis of parent-report data measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and one-year follow-up found that compared to families who did not receive MaPa, those who received MaPa exhibited reduced overreactive parenting post-intervention, which in turn marginally mediated the sustained effects of MaPa on risk for child maltreatment at follow-up. Positive parenting, however, was neither improved by allocation to MaPa post-intervention nor mediated the effects of MaPa on risk of child maltreatment at follow-up. This study provides evidence that MaPa effectively reduces overreactive parenting, which in turn reduces the risk of child maltreatment. Future studies may consider conducting larger trials, which can allow us to test more complex models, such as serial mediation and moderation models. Doing so may enable us to better distill the individual and joint effects of the different components of MaPa, allowing policymakers to further optimize the program.

3:00 pm, Monday, November 3, 2025

Adviser:

Edith Liane P Alampay, PhD

Panelists:

Ma Regina M Hechanova, PhD

Joshua Eric Romulo B Uyheng, PhD

Gilda D Lopez, PhD

Bernice Vania N Ladoy, PhD

Edith Liane P Alampay, PhD

Keywords: parenting intervention, child maltreatment, positive parenting, overreactive parenting.