Flying Under the Radar

Abstract

A randomized trial of in-home psychotherapy for depressive symptoms that targeted low-income mothers of infants and toddlers used innovative design features to reduce stigma and enhance acceptability. Despite these features, advanced practice psychiatric mental health nurses used specialized, relationship-based strategies to engage and retain these high-risk mothers in the intervention. Data revealed that the nurses needed to diligently maintain contact, provide encouragement, use empathy for rapid assessment and response, and control the intensity of the relationship-based contacts in order to retain mothers.

The characteristics of Australian Maternal and Child Health home visiting nurses undertaking family violence work: An interpretive description study

“…Our study highlighted the impact of an optimistic perspective as contributing to the successful engagement of the family and the nurse's capacity to work in challenging scenarios. This intrinsic characteristic is consistent with other researchers who argue that having a non-judgmental, optimistic attitude about parents is more likely to increase family participation and positive family outcomes (Beeber et al, 2007).…”

“…The nurses and managers in this study described the building and maintaining of relationships with families as integral to home visiting work. Other researchers have highlighted the skill nurses bring with a variety of relationship‐based strategies that are particular to the developmental phase of the relationship (Beeber et al, 2007). Working in the home has been identified as bringing additional challenges, with an ever‐changing context, and enabling more intimate access to the family (Beeber et al, 2007).…”

Parenting Enhancement, Interpersonal Psychotherapy to Reduce Depression in Low-Income Mothers of Infants and Toddlers

“…Compared to a retention rate of 36% in a psychotherapy trial with disadvantaged women (Miranda et al, 2006), 75% of mothers in the intervention group in the current study completed a minimum dose of IPT+PE sessions. Empirical data on the tailoring of IPT+PE and the strategies that were successful in engaging these mothers has been published previously (Beeber et al, 2007). …”

“…Nurses already provided in-home visits to EHS families for health promotion. By using advanced practice psychiatric mental health nurses (PMH-APRNs) as interventionists, mothers could tell inquisitive family or neighbors that the nurse was visiting without drawing attention to the mental health focus of the visit (Beeber et al, 2007). The intervention incorporated the infant-toddler enrichment activities that EHS was already providing and, if the mother was willing, the nurse involved EHS home visitors and staff as adjunct support providers.…”

The Impact of a Health Empowerment Program on Self-Care Enablement and Mental Health among Low-Income Families: Evidence from a 5 Year Cohort Study in Hong Kong

“…Nevertheless, evidence on the effectiveness of HE for people from relatively low-income families in high-income regions is limited. Most studies targeting this disadvantaged group were conducted in U.S., showing effectiveness in reducing depression in both adults [ 22 , 23 , 24 ] and children [ 25 , 26 ] while increasing perceived quality of life and positive affect [ 27 ]. The HE prevented hospitalizations [ 28 ] and pediatric emergency room and clinic visits [ 29 ].…”