Bridging research and practice: relational interventions for maltreated children

Background: Research has consistently demonstrated the deleterious consequences of child maltreatment, not only during childhood but also across the life course. In particular, maltreatment negatively affects child attachment, with high percentages of maltreated children developing insecure or disorganized attachments with their primary caregiver. Therefore, interventions informed by attachment theory are important to prevent enduring relational difficulties. Scope: One such intervention, ChildParent Psychotherapy, has been shown to be efficacious in a number of randomized controlled trials. This article provides an overview of the evidence base for this intervention and the translation of this research into practice, particularly in community settings. Conclusion: Increasingly, it is imperative that such evidence-based models of intervention be translated into community settings so that the most vulnerable children and families can benefit from them.