Review of child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is twofold. The first objective is to examine the status of studies on the effect of child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea. The second objective is to recommend directions for child maltreatment prevention programs based on the results of the first objective.
Procedure: A literature search of prevention programs for child maltreatment was conducted. Research studies published from 1989 to 2013 were identified through a computerized selection process, resulting in 198 studies. Further detailed search of keywords ultimately identified 37 studies focusing on child maltreatment prevention programs. These 37 studies were further classified and reviewed. Results: This study was able to find several pertinent findings. First, child maltreatment prevention programs targeting teachers and parents were not sufficient. Second, child maltreatment prevention programs for high risk population were also insufficient in the selected literatures. Third, based on the existing studies, child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea lacked diversified contents. Fourth, most research measured effectiveness through attitude and awareness factors. Finally, child maltreatment programs were not systematic and mainly were conducted as one-time programs.
Conclusions: There needs to be more studies examining the effectiveness of prevention programs for child maltreatment, notably, sustainable and long-term effects of prevention programs. Moreover, these programs need to include high-risk populations, with more diverse contents, that are systematically included throughout all three levels of prevention – primary, secondary, and tertiary.