Support groups for parents halved violence against children in wartime Ukraine, trial finds
Ukrainian parents who joined a support group program called "Hope Groups," designed for families living through the war, reported that violence against children was cut in half and that they had less than half the depression and anxiety symptoms of parents who had not yet participated in the program, according to a new trial led by the University of Oxford.
A 12-session support program called "Hope Groups" has been shown to significantly reduce violence against children and alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms among Ukrainian parents during the ongoing war. Led by researchers at the University of Oxford, this randomized controlled trial involved 510 parents and caregivers and was published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe.
The program, adapted to the Ukrainian context, was delivered in various settings such as shelters, community centers, and homes, or via video calls on Telegram. Participants reported experiencing safety, trust, and hope for the first time in a long time. Compared to those on a waitlist, parents who took part in the Hope Groups program experienced a 52.7% reduction in violence against children and a 57.4% decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms.
The researchers emphasize the urgent need to invest in mental health and child protection programming during active conflicts, as waiting too long can miss a critical window for action.
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