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ABSTRACT Interventions to enhance positive parenting practices have become a cornerstone of many Western child welfare services. Parental mental health is a crucial factor that influences parenting practices and styles. However, research on the associations between mental health and parenting among parents involved with child welfare services is scarce. The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between self‐reported mental health and parenting practices and emotional style among parents in contact with child welfare services. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2018–2019 (N = 256, 71.5% females). Linear regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounding factors, was conducted. The results indicated that higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly associated with a higher degree of inconsistent parenting practices, a lower degree of involving parenting practices and higher levels of emotion coaching parenting style. Socioeconomic status slightly attenuated the associations. The results highlight the importance of considering parental mental health when assessing parenting practices and styles among parents in contact with child welfare services. It is also crucial for child welfare workers to be aware of how parental mental health can affect their parenting practices and to address these issues through their interventions in the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionTechnology has been used in evidence-based child maltreatment (CM) programs for over a decade. Although advancements have been made, the extent of the application of technology in these programs, and its influence on parental and child outcomes, remains unclear within the context of changes that emerged because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review provides a contextualized overview and summary of the use of technology in evidence-based parenting and child programs serving families impacted by child maltreatment and the effects of technology-enhanced programs on target outcomes.Materials and methodsUsing Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework, we searched seven databases to identify peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English from 2000 to 2023 on evidence-based programs, according to the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC), that included technological supports for two populations: at-risk parents for child maltreatment prevention, and children and youth 0–18 years exposed to child maltreatment. All study designs were included.ResultsEight evidence-based parenting programs and one evidence-based child trauma program were identified as using technology across a total of 25 peer-reviewed articles and 2 peer-reviewed abstracts meeting inclusion criteria (n = 19 on parent-level programs; n = 8 on child-level programs). Four studies were published in the context of COVID-19. Two main uses of technology emerged: (1) remote programmatic delivery (i.e., delivering all or part of the program virtually using technology) and (2) programmatic enhancement (i.e., augmenting program content with technology). Improvements across parenting and child mental health and behavioral outcomes were generally observed.DiscussionTechnology use in evidence-based child maltreatment programs is not new; however, the small sample since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in this review that met inclusion criteria highlight the dearth of research published on the topic. Findings also suggest the need for the inclusion of implementation outcomes related to adoption and engagement, which could inform equitable dissemination and implementation of these programs. Additional considerations for research and practice are discussed.