The Effectiveness of Parenting Interventions on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents Affected by Armed Conflict: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: Parents have been found to serve as protective factors for children, highlighting the potential importance of parenting interventions in mitigating the detrimental effects of armed conflict on children’s mental health and well-being. However, no known study has systematically reviewed the evidence for the effectiveness of parenting interventions for children and adolescents living in areas affected by conflict. Methods: The aim of this systematic review was to establish the effectiveness of parenting interventions for children living in conflict-affected regions, and to evaluate the role of mediating and moderating factors. A systematic search was conducted following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, using three databases. Included in the meta-analysis were any experimental interventions and comparator interventions conducted in any region affected by conflict at the time of data collection that had child mental health and psychosocial outcomes. Results: Out of 6,118 publications screened, 3 studies were included. Improvements were found across aggression, parent-child interactions, and maternal PTSD symptoms. Non-significant improvements were found across harsh parenting behaviors, positive behavior management strategies, psychologists’ observations of parenting communication and of children’s problem behaviors and positive behaviors, children’s cognitive and emotional wellbeing, children’s hyperactivity and psychosocial functioning and perceived familial support. A meta-analysis for depressive symptoms found no significant effect for comparable parenting interventions. Conclusions: This review found mixed evidence based on limited studies, and contrary to good evidence of effectiveness in past reviews of parenting interventions in other country contexts. Given the widespread use and potential utility of such interventions as shown in previous literature, urgent improvements in effectiveness studies in these settings is required.