Examining long‐term effects of an infant mental health home‐based early head start program on family strengths and resilience

This study examined impacts of an Infant Mental Health home‐based Early Head Start (IMH‐HB EHS) program on family functioning. The sample includes 152 low‐income families in the Midwestern United States, expectant or parenting a child younger than 1 year of age, who were randomly assigned to receive IMH‐HB EHS services (n = 75) or to a comparison condition (n = 77). Mothers who received IMH‐HB EHS services reported healthier psychological and family functioning, outcomes that are consistent with the IMH focus, when their children were between the ages of 3 and 7 years of age. Specifically, mothers in the IMH‐HB EHS group reported healthier family functioning and relationships, better coping skills needed to advocate for their families, and less stress in the parenting role versus those in the comparison condition. The study also examined support seeking coping, some of which changed differently over time based on program group assignment. Overall, findings suggest that the gains families achieve from participating in IMH‐HB EHS services are maintained after services cease. RESUMEN La meta de las intervenciones con base en la salud mental infantil es promover el desarrollo sano de infantes y bebés por medio de promover un funcionamiento familiar sano para adoptar relaciones de apoyo entre el pequeño niño y sus importantes cuidadores. Este estudio examinó el impacto que sobre el funcionamiento familiar tiene un programa “Early Head Start” de salud mental ...
Source: Infant Mental Health Journal - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: ARTICLE Source Type: research