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Systematic review of child welfare interventions tailored for immigrant families finds considerable gaps

In recognizing the unique stressors that immigrant families face, which can place them at greater risk for child maltreatment, researchers from New Mexico State University conducted a rigorous review of the research literature to identify child welfare interventions specifically targeted at immigrant families. To be included, studies had to focus on a broad child maltreatment prevention intervention by addressing child maltreatment specifically, or focusing on child or parent mental health, substance misuse, family violence, or parenting skills. Additionally, studies must have been targeted at immigrants, refugees, or Latinx participants, or be delivered in a language other than English. The authors find the greatest number of interventions related to parenting, although fewer than 10 existed that were tailored for immigrant families. Three studies existed for substance misuse interventions, but the authors found no interventions related to mental health or domestic violence for this population. The authors suggest a need for more intentional programmatic targeting and data collection around the experiences of immigrant families, particularly with a focus on addressing immigration-related trauma as a child maltreatment prevention strategy.