Populations at Risk Across the Lifespan: Case Studies: Factors Influencing Mothers' Abilities to Engage in a Comprehensive Parenting Intervention Program

Abstract

Objective This research identified the possible factors influencing the ability of mothers perceived to be at the highest risk for child maltreatment to engage in a home visitation program. This study holds significance to public health nursing since home visitation is an integral component of public health nursing practice, with engagement being essential for human interaction and thus nursing care to occur. Design and Sample A qualitative descriptive design was used to offer a thematic summary of the experiences of program engagement from the perspective of 4 home visitation coach interventionists from health-related fields and a small sample of purposefully selected mothers involved in a longitudinal prevention study. Results Qualitative content analysis revealed 3 major themes related to engagement: (1) mothers struggle to meet the emotional needs of the self and the child; (2) mothers lack support in navigating complicated and stressful life events; and (3) mothers’ consistency with program engagement is mediated through a trusting and caring relationship with coaches. Conclusions Home visitation coaches in this study demonstrated a continuous process of engagement by supporting mothers to explore and discover self-care strategies and ways to navigate life struggles. Over time, a foundation of trust and caring was developed, which in turn increased relationship building and program engagement.

Facteurs liés à l’intention des mères de participer à un programme de soutien à la parentalité

“…Même si certaines études distinguent les facteurs liés à l'intention de participer de ceux liés à l'inscription ou à la participation réelle des parents (Dumas et al, 2007(Dumas et al, , 2010Thorton et Calam, 2010;Matsumoto et al, 2009;Wellington et al, 2006), la majorité aborde le recrutement au sens large sans égard à cette distinction (Axford et al, 2012;Baker et al, 2011;Domian, Baggett, Carta, Mitchell et Larson, 2010;Dumas, Moreland, Gitter, Pearl et Nordstrom, 2008;Heinrichs, 2006;Garvey et al, 2006;Ingoldsby, 2010;McCurdy et Daro, 2001;Zeedyk et al, 2003). Malgré cela, ces études apportent un éclairage pertinent dans la mesure où elles s'intéressent aux obstacles liés au recrutement des parents associés aux familles, aux programmes ou aux stratégies de recrutement mises en place par les organisations concernées.…”

Before the cradle and beyond the grave: a lifespan/settings‐based framework for health promotion

“…She stresses that midwives should work in partnership with women and families and other agencies to facilitate decisions about care that mothers require prior to and after birth of their children and further identifies that health promotion strategies should focus on young mothers from socially disadvantaged groups. Similarly, Domian et al. (2010) highlight the active health promotion role of Public Health Nurses working with disadvantaged mothers in their My Baby and Me comprehensive parenting intervention programme.…”

Multiple Family Groups for Child Behavior Difficulties

“…More often then not, families often fail to receive needed services resulting from their child welfare involvement (Kemp et al, 2009). Thus, when the child welfare agency is no longer an active presence, families continue to struggle with multiple needs, yet are even more reluctant to seek assistance from formal providers for fear of re-involvement with child welfare services (Domian, Baggett, Carta, Mitchell & Larson, 2010). As a result, inner-city child welfare involved families whose children manifest behavioral difficulties are in dire need of services that are readily accessible, can overcome logistical barriers, and can successfully engage vulnerable families to stay in treatment.…”