Identifying treatment moderators of a trauma-informed parenting intervention with children in foster care: Using model-based recursive partitioning

Abstract Background Trauma-informed parenting interventions have been used in child welfare to help caregivers respond children trauma-informed ways that can mitigate the effects of maltreatment and build strong caregiver-child relationships. Existing studies support their effectiveness with youth involved system. However, further advance evidenced-based intervention for populations, one key step is identify subgroups individuals who different responses or outcomes. Objective To pre-treatment moderators distinguish benefit differently from an intervention. Participants setting 414 foster care (age 3 younger) (birth, adoptive, kin, nonkin) were randomly assigned receive a Illinois Birth through Three Title IV-E waiver demonstration services as usual. Methods Model-based Recursive Partitioning (MOB) was treatment moderator interactions. MOB fits parametric model uses data-driven method find which specified has parameters. Two models (logistic linear regression) accordance two outcomes: reunification (binary) attachment (continuous). We examined 21 potential both models. Results For outcome, produced following three moderators, identified participants responded intervention: (a) caregivers’ relationship (kin vs. non-kin/permanent caregivers), (b) attachment, (c) case history physical abuse. age found be moderator. Future developments should consider these moderators.