Caregivers’ and interventionists’ perceptions of a child-centered home visitation intervention


Abstract


Home visitation is an intervention approach for families at risk of poor child outcomes. Negative outcomes include malnutrition, the risk of unintentional injuries, and child maltreatment, to mention a few. The effectiveness, appropriateness, and feasibility of Home Visitation Programmes (HVPs) remain under-researched in middle- to low-income settings. This study constitutes one component of a formative evaluation of a child-centred home visitation intervention in a low-income South African community. The aim of the study was to explore caregivers’ and interventionists’ perceptions of the content and delivery of the intervention. To this end the study employed qualitative methods, which included seven focus groups with caregivers and interventionists. The data were thematically analysed upon which four themes emerged namely human agency, accessibility to the intervention, attributes of the intervention, and safety-health behaviour, and are presented according to the Process–Person–Context–Time model. This study contributes to the science and praxis on conducting evidence-based home visitation interventions in a resource-constrained setting.



DOI Code: 10.1285/i24212113v7i2p60

Keywords: caregivers; home visitors; child safety; community; intervention

References


Allen, S. F. (2007). Parents’ perceptions of intervention practices in home visiting programs. Infants & Young Children, 20, 266-281. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.IYC.0000277757.95099.47

Baillie, K. L. (2013). Children’s representations of sources of safety in a high violence community. Unpublished doctoral thesis. University of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa.

Bandura, A. (2008). An agentic perspective on positive psychology. In S.J. Lopez, (Ed.), Positive psychology: Exploring the best in people (pp. 167-196). Greenwood.

Barnes, J., MacPherson, K., & Senior, R. (2006). Factors influencing the acceptance of volunteer home-visiting support offered to families with new babies. Child and family Social Work, 11, 107–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2206.2006.00401.x

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research Psychology, 3, 77-101. https://doi.org/ 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Barnes, J., MacPherson, K., & Senior, R. (2006). Factors influencing the acceptance of volunteer home-visiting support offered to families with new babies. Child and family Social Work, 11, 107–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2206.2006.00401.x

Bronfenbrenner, U., & Morris, P. A. (1998). The Ecology of Developmental Processes. In W. Damon, & R. M. Lerner (Eds), Handbook of Child Psychology: Theoretical Models of Human Development (pp. 993–1028). John Wiley.

Bronfenbrenner, U., & Morris, P. A. (2006). The bioecological model of human development. In W. Damon & R. M. Lerner (Eds), Handbook of child psychology: Theoretical models of human development (6th ed.) (pp. 793–828). Wiley.

Brooks-Gunn, J., Berlin, L. J., & Fuligni, A. S. (2000). Early childhood intervention programs: What about the family? In J. P. Shonkof & S. J. Meisels (Eds), Handbook of early childhood intervention (2nd ed.) (pp. 549-588). Cambridge University Press.

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. (2009). Identifying and selecting evidence-based interventions: Revised Guidance Document for the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant Program. HHS Pub. no. (SMA) 09-4205. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA09-4205/SMA09-4205.pdf

Creswell, J.W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Sage.

DuMont, K., Kirkland, K., Mitchell-Herzfeld, S., Ehrhard-Dietzel, S., Rodriguez, M. L., Lee, E., Layne, C., & Greene, R. (2011). A Randomized Trial of Healthy Families New York (HFNY): Does home visiting prevent child maltreatment? https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/232945.pdf

Duncan, G. J., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2000). Family poverty, welfare reform, and child development. Child Development, 71, 188–196.

Feldman, G. (2016). Making sense of agency: Belief in free will as a unique and important construct. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 11, e12293.

Fowler, C., Dunstan, R., Lee, A., Rossiter, C., & McKenzie, J. (2012). Reciprocal learning in partnership practice: An exploratory study of a home visiting program for mothers with depression. Studies in Continuing Education, 34, 99–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2011.611800

Garnham, L. (2015). Understanding the impacts of industrial change and area-based deprivation on health inequalities, using Swidler's concepts of cultured capacities and strategies of action. Social Theory & Health, 13(3/4), 308–339.

Gomby, D. S. (2007). The promise and limitations of home visiting: Implementing effective programs. Child Abuse & Neglect, 31, 793–799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.07.001

Hapunda, G., Abubakar, A., & van de Vijver, F. (2017). Applying the bio-ecological model to understand factors contributing to psychosocial well-being and healthcare of children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus. South African Journal of Diabetes and Vascular Disease, 14(1), 11–17.

Hawley, P. H., & Little, T. D. (2002). Evolutionary and developmental perspectives on the agentic self. In D. Cervone, & W. Mischel. (Eds), Advances in personality science (pp. 549-588). Guilford.

Heaman, M., Chalmers, K., Woodgate, R., & Brown, J. (2006). Early childhood home visiting programme: Factors contributing to success. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 55, 291–300. https://doi.org/ 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03914.x

Hebbeler, K., & Gerlach-Downie, S. (2002). Inside the black box of home visiting: A qualitative analysis of why intended outcomes were not achieved. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 17, 28–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-2006(02)00128-X

Hiatt, S. W., Sampson, D., & Baird, D. (1997). Paraprofessional home visitation: Conceptual and pragmatic considerations. Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 77-93. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1520-6629(199701)25:13.0.CO;2-#

Howard, K. S., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2009). The role of home-visiting programs in preventing child abuse and neglect. Future Child, 9(2), 119-146. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.0.0032

Islam, S. A. (2005). Sociology of poverty: Quest for a new horizon. Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology, 2, 1–8. http://www.bangladeshsociology.org/BEJS%20-%202.1.4%20-%20Sardar.pdf

Jack, S., DiCenso, A., & Lohfeld, L. (2002). Opening doors: Factors influencing the establishment of a working relationship between paraprofessional home visitors and at- risk families. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 34, 59–69.

Katz, K. S., El-Mohandes, A., Johnson, D. M., Jarrett, M., Rose, A. & Cober, M. (2001). Retention of low income mothers in a parenting intervention study. Journal of Community Health, 26(3), 203–218. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1010373113060

Kirkpatrick, S., Barlow, J., Stewart‐Brown, S., & Davis, H. (2007). Working in partnership: User perceptions of intensive home visiting. Child Abuse Review, 16, 32–46. https://doi.org/10.1002/car.972

Klass, C. S. (2003). The home visitor’s guidebook: Promoting optimal parent and child development. Paul H. Brookes.

Knerr, W., Gardner, F., & Cluver, L. (2013). Reducing harsh and abusive parenting and increasing positive parenting in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Prevention Science, 14, 352–363. https://doi.org/1 0.1007/s11121-012-0314-1

Koniak-Griffin, D., Verzemnieks, I. L., Anderson, N.L., Brecht, M. L., Lesser J., Kim S., & Turner-Pluta, C. (2003). Nurse visitation for adolescent mothers: Two-year infant health and maternal outcomes. Nursing Research, 52, 127–136. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-200303000-00009

Lovett, J., Palamaro, M., McNamara, K., & Doyle, O. (2016). Friend, foe or facilitator? The role of the parent-service provider relationship in the early implementation of a family-based community intervention. Community Psychology in Global Perspective, 2, 52–72. https://doi.org/10.1285/i24212113v2i1p52

McCurdy, K., & Jones, L. (2000). Supporting families: Lessons from the field. Sage.

McDaid, D. (2017). Socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour during times of economic recession and recovery. In S. Platt, S. Stace, & J. Morrissey (Eds.), Socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour (pp. 32–68). The Samaritans.

Mejia, A., Calam, R., & Sanders, M.R. (2012). A review of parenting programs in developing countries: Opportunities and challenges for preventing emotional and behavioral difficulties in children. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 15(2), 163–175. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s10567-012-0116-9

Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. Josey-Bass.

Michalopoulos, C., Duggan, A., Knox, V., Filene, J. H., Lee, H., Snell, E. K., & Ingels, J. B. (2013). Revised design for the mother and infant home visiting program evaluation. OPRE Report 2013-18. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services.

Mikton, C. (201 2). Two challenges to importing evidence-based child maltreatment prevention programs developed in high-income countries to low- and middle-income countries: Generalizability and affordability. World Perspectives on Child Abuse, 10, 97–104. https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/954731/two-challengesto-importing-evidence-based-child-maltreatment-prevention-programs-developed-in-high-income-countries-to-low-and-middle-income-countries-generalizability-and-affordability

Musick, J., & Stott, F. (2000). Paraprofessionals revisited and reconsidered. In J. P. Shonkof & S. J. Meisels (Eds.), Handbook of early childhood intervention (pp. 439–453). Cambridge University Press.

Olds, D. L., Kitzman, H., Cole, R., Robinson, J., Sidora, K., Luckey, D.W., …Holmberg, J. (2004). Effects of nurse home-visiting on maternal life course and child development: Age 6 follow-up results of a randomized trial. Pediatrics, 114(6), 1550–1559. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2004-0962

Olds, D., Kitzman, H., Cole, R., & Robinson, J. (1997). Theoretical foundations of a program of home visitation for pregnant women and parents of young children. Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 9–25. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1520-6629(199701)25:13.0.CO;2-V

Olds, D. L., Sadler, L., & Kitzman, H. (2007). Programs for parents of infants and toddlers: Recent evidence from randomized trials. Journal of Child Psychology, 48, 355–391. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01702.x

Peacock, S., Konrad, S., Watson, E., Nickel, D., & Muhajarine, N. (2013). Effectiveness of home visiting programs on child outcomes: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 13(17). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-17

Peterson, C. A., Luze, G. J., Eshbaugh, E. M., Jeon, H. J., & Kantz, K. R. (2007). Enhancing parent-child interactions through home visiting: Promising practice or unfulfilled promise? Journal of Early Intervention, 29, 119–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/105381510702900205

Resnicow, K., Baranowski, T., Ahluwalia, J. S., & Braithwaite, R. L. (1999). Cultural sensitivity in public health: Defined and demystified. Ethnicity and Disease, 9, 10–21.

Riger, S. (2001). Transforming community psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology, 29(1), 69–79. https://doi.org/ 10.1023/A:1005293228252

Riley, S., Brady, A. E., Goldberg, J., Jacobs, F., & Easterbrooks, M. A. (2008). Once the door closes: Understanding the parent–provider relationship. Children and Youth Services Review, 30, 597–612. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/cysrev/v30y2008i5p597-612.html

Roggman, L., Boyce, L., Cook, G., & Jump, V. (2001). Inside home visits: A collaborative look at process and quality. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 16, 53–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-2006(01)00085-0

Rosa, E.M., & Tudge, J.R.H. (2013). Urie Bronfenbrenner's Theory of Human Development: Its Evolution from Ecology to Bioecology. Journal of Family Theories and Review, 3, 243–258. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12022

Schmidt, S., Schott, L., Pavetti, L., & Matthews, H. (2015). Effective, evidence-based home visiting programs in every state at risk if congress does not extend funding. USA: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. http://www.cbpp.org/research/effective-evidence-based-home-visiting-programs-in-every-state-at-risk-if-congress-does-not?fa=view&id=4103

Spieker, S. J., Solchany, J., McKenna, M., DeKlyen, M., & Barnard, E. (2000). The story of mothers who are difficult to engage in prevention programs. In J. D. Osofsky & H. E. Fitzgerald (Eds.), WAIMH handbook of infant mental health: Vol. 3 Parenting and child care (pp. 171–126). Wiley.

Stephenson, Z., Harkins, L., & Woodhams, J. (2013). Sequencing of interventions with offenders: An Addition to the Responsivity Principle. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 13(5), 429–455. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228932.2013.850318

Swart, L., Van Niekerk, A., Seedat, M., & Jordaan, E. (2008). Paraprofessional home visitation program to prevent childhood unintentional injuries in low-income communities: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Injury Prevention, 14, 164–169. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2007.016832

Sweet, M. A., & Appelbaum, M. I. (2004). Is home visiting an effective strategy? A meta analytic review of home visiting programs for families with young children. Child Development, 75, 1435–1456. https//doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00750.x

Tandon, S. D., Parillo, K., Mercer, C., Keefer, M., & Duggan, A. K. (2008). Engagement in paraprofessional home visitation: Families’ reasons for enrollment and program response to identified reasons. Women’s Health Issues, 18, 118–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2007.10.005

Tudge, J. R. H. (2016). Implicit versus Explicit Ways of Using Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory. Human Development, 59, 195–199. https://doi.org/10.1159/000449453

Ismail, G., & Van Niekerk, A. (2020). Enablers and inhibitors associated with community willingness to participate in child-centred safety initiatives. Community Psychology in Global Perspective, 1(2/1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1285/i24212113v6i2-1p1

Wessels, I., Lester, S., & Ward, C. L., (2016). Engagement in parenting programmes. Exploring facilitators of and barriers to participation. Policy brief, 82. Pretoria: ISS Institute for Security Studies. https://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PolicyBrief82.pdf

Zercher, C., & Spiker, D. (2004). Home visiting programs and their impact on young children. In R. E. Trembley, R. G. Barr, & R. DeV. Peters (Eds), Encyclopaedia on early childhood development (pp. 1–8). Montreal, Canada: Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development.http://www.enciclopedia-crianca.com/Pages/PDF/Zercher-SpikerANGxp.pdf


Full Text: PDF

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate 3.0 Italia License.