Abstract
Innovative handheld technologies are changing the possibilities for public health interventions. The present research describes a preliminary examination of the iPhone™ when used as an assessment tool and an enhancement to an evidence-based, in-home child safety intervention. Three families with young children received an augmented version of the Safety module of SafeCare, a home-visiting child maltreatment prevention program. Specifically, parents were trained to use an iPhone to video rooms in their homes, as well as communicate feedback, logistics, and safety content between the home visitor and parent. The effectiveness of iPhone and video was examined using a multiple baseline design across in-home settings replicated across families. Home hazards were reduced dramatically across rooms and across participants. Face-to-face time of the home visitor was progressively reduced and replaced by video data collection. These data suggest smartphones are promising for data collection and for augmenting face-to-face interactions. Implications for reducing costs as smartphones become increasingly ubiquitous and for engaging and retaining participants are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barone, V. J., Greene, B. F., & Lutzker, J. R. (1986). Home safety with families being treated for child abuse and neglect. Behavior Modification, 10, 93–114.
Bigelow, K., Carta, J., & Lefever, J. (2008). Txt u ltr: using cellular phone technology to enhance a parenting intervention for families at risk for neglect. Child Maltreatment, 13, 362–367. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from the Academic Search Complete database.
Brenner, R. A., Trumble, A. C., Smith, G. S., Kessler, E. P., & Overpeck, M. D. (2001). Where children drown, United States, 1995 [Electronic version]. Pediatrics, 108, 85–89.
Gershater-Molko, R. M., Lutzker, J. R., & Wesch, D. (2003). Project SafeCare: improving health, safety, and parenting skills in families reported for, and at-risk for child maltreatment [Electronic version]. Journal of Family Violence, 18, 377–386.
Kazdin, A. E. (1982). Single-case research designs: Methods for clinical and applied settings. New York: Oxford University Press.
Kelley, B. T., Thornberry, T. P., & Smith, C. A. (1997). In the wake of child maltreatment (OJJDP Bulletin No. 165257). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved April 20, 2009, from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/165257.pdf.
Lutzker, J. R., & Bigelow, K. M. (2002). Reducing child maltreatment: A guidebook for parent services. New York: Guilford.
Lutzker, J. R., Bigelow, K. M., Doctor, R. M., & Kessler, M. L. (1998). Safety, health care, and bonding within an ecobehavioral approach to treating and preventing child abuse and neglect [Electronic version]. Journal of Family Violence, 13, 163–185.
Mandel, U., Bigelow, K., & Lutzker, J. (1998). Using video to reduce home safety hazards with parents reported for child abuse and neglect [Electronic version]. Journal of Family Violence, 13, 147–162.
Metchikian, K. L., Mink, J. M., Bigelow, K. M., Lutzker, J. R., & Doctor, R. M. (1999). Reducing home safety hazards in the homes of parents reported for neglect [Electronic version]. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 21, 23–34.
Prinz, R. J., Sanders, M. R., Shapiro, C. J., Whitaker, D. J., & Lutzker, J. R. (2009). Population- based prevention of child maltreatment: The U. S. Triple P system population trial [Electronic version]. Prevention Science, 10(1).
Sangvai, S., Cipriani, L., Colborn, D., & Wald, E. (2007). Studying injury prevention: practices, problems, and pitfalls in implementation [Electronic version]. Clinical Pediatrics, 46, 228–235.
Self-Brown, S., & Whitaker, D. (2008). Parent-focused child maltreatment prevention: improving assessment, intervention, and dissemination with technology [Electronic version]. Child Maltreatment, 13, 400–416.
Shanley, J. R., & Niec, L. N. (2010). Coaching parents to change: the impact of in vivo feedback on parents’ acquisition of skills [Electronic version]. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 39, 282–287.
Tertinger, D. A., Greene, B. F., & Lutzker, J. R. (1984). Home safety: development and validation of one component of an ecobehavioral treatment program for abused and neglected children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 17, 159–174.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration on Children, Youth and Families. (2009). Child maltreatment 2007. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Wang, C. T. & Holton, J. (2007). Total estimated cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States—Economic impact study. Prevent Child Abuse America. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from http://www.preventchildabuse.org/about_us/media_releases/pcaa_pew_economic_impact_study_final.pdf.
Watson, W. A., Litovitz, T. L., Klein-Schwartz, W., Rodgers, G. C., Youniss, J., Reid, N., et al. (2004). 2003 annual report of the American association of poison control centers toxic exposure surveillance system [Electronic version]. American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 22, 335–404.
Whitaker, D. J., Lutzker, J. R., Self-Brown, S., & Edwards, A. E. (2008). Implementing and evidence-based program for the prevention of child maltreatment: the SafeCare® program. Report on Emotional & Behavioral Disorders in Youth, 8, 55–62.
Acknowledgements
This research was partly supported by grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Special thanks to Center for Healthy Development staff for their assistance throughout this project: Kionne Feaster, Brian Panasuk, Erin McFry, and a Stella Obut.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jabaley, J.J., Lutzker, J.R., Whitaker, D.J. et al. Using iPhones™ to Enhance and Reduce Face-to-face Home Safety Sessions within SafeCare®: An Evidence-based Child Maltreatment Prevention Program. J Fam Viol 26, 377–385 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-011-9372-6
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-011-9372-6