Predictors of Treatment Engagement for Young Children Exposed to Violence

This study examined factors associated with treatment engagement and child outcomes in 1,365 children receiving community-based services for exposure to violence. Data were collected on children and families who completed an intake interview. Children were categorized into groups based on whether they attended any therapy sessions after the intake, terminated prematurely from therapy, or completed treatment. Results demonstrated that child emotional and behavioral problems at intake, general parent stress, and income did not differ by treatment engagement. Type of violence exposure, parent–child stress, and race differed by category of treatment engagement. Strategies from Safe From the Start service providers to increase treatment engagement are included in the discussion.