Pilot test of a measure to assess clients’ perceptions of their home visitors

Abstract

Home visiting services for caregivers of infants and young children have been found to be an effective method for promoting child development. Unfortunately, such services suffer from high rates of attrition, suggesting the need to identify factors related to client retention in services. Research has indicated that the client‐provider relationship is an important predictor of client retention in home visiting services; however, measures to assess this relationship are limited. This study reports on a pilot test of the Client Perceptions of Home Visitors Questionnaire, developed to assess home visiting clients’ perceptions of their relationship with their home visitor. The measure was completed by 39 diverse home visiting clients during pregnancy in a midwestern town in the United States. The scale was found to have good internal consistency. Validity analyses found that the scale was positively associated with client satisfaction with services and perceived provider cultural sensitivity. The scale was also positively associated with retention in services at an 8‐month follow‐up. Additional research should examine the measure's psychometrics with larger samples.

The Impact of Relationship on Goal Attainment in a Home-Based Family Support Program

“…To date, studies assessing the home visitorparticipant relationship have focused on how the relationship afects program engagement and the amount of time spent in visits [18][19][20][21]. Tis research has shown the relationship to be a reliable predictor of retention and engagement [22]. Moreover, studies have shown that participants are more likely to remain in services when focusing on alignment of goals and their specifc needs, rather than focusing primarily on case management [22,23].…”

“…Tis research has shown the relationship to be a reliable predictor of retention and engagement [22]. Moreover, studies have shown that participants are more likely to remain in services when focusing on alignment of goals and their specifc needs, rather than focusing primarily on case management [22,23]. Even in these studies, however, most evaluation involves assessment administration to either home visitors or program participants, not both.…”