Integrating Evidence-based Approaches to Prevent Child Maltreatment in Kyrgyzstan

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a family-based prevention program works to prevent child maltreatment risk and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among families in Kyrgyzstan. It will also learn about the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of the program. The main questions it aims to answer are: (1) Does the integrated family and economic empowerment program improve children's self-regulation, behavioral adjustment, and school adaptation? (2) Is the program feasible and acceptable for families and schools in Kyrgyzstan? Researchers will compare the integrated prevention program to bolstered standard school services to see if the program improves child and family outcomes. Participants will: (a) Be randomly assigned to either the prevention program or bolstered standard school services; (b) Attend weekly group sessions for 16 weeks (if assigned to the prevention program); (c) Complete surveys at baseline, immediately after the 16-week program, and at the end of the school year; and (d) Provide information about child behavior, (co)parenting, family relationships, and financial well-being. Results from this pilot study will inform a future larger trial.