Early Head Start Home-Based Option

Last updated: 2016

Effects shown in research & outcome measure details

Maternal health

Findings rated high

Love, J., Kisker, E., Ross, C. M., Schochet, P. Z., Brooks-Gunn, J., Paulsell, D., et al. (2002). Making a difference in the lives of infants and toddlers and their families: The impacts of Early Head Start. Volumes I-III: Final technical report [and] appendixes [and] local contributions to understanding the programs and their impacts. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Bureau.

Early Head Start Home-Based Option

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Outcome measure	Effect	Follow-up timing	Sample	Sample size	Intervention group	Comparison group	Group difference	Effect size	Statistical significance
Subsequent birth by 24 months after random assignment	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	28 months after assignment	EHS-HBO impact sample	941 mothers	% = 21.80	% = 24.70	Mean difference = -2.90	Study reported = -0.07	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05

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Outcome measure	Outcome measure description	Collection method	Properties	Operations links
Subsequent birth by 24 months after random assignment	Percentage of parents who had a subsequent birth by 24 months after random assignment	Parent/caregiver report	Not applicable

Love, J., Kisker, E., Ross, C., Schochet, P., Brooks-Gunn, J., Boller, K., et al. (2001). Building their futures: How Early Head Start programs are enhancing the lives of infants and toddlers in low-income families. Summary report. Report to Commissioner’s Office of Research and Evaluation, Head Start Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, and Department of Health and Human Services. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research.

Early Head Start Home-Based Option

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Outcome measure	Effect	Follow-up timing	Sample	Sample size	Intervention group	Comparison group	Group difference	Effect size	Statistical significance
FES: Family conflict	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	24 months postpartum	EHS-HBO impact sample	966 mothers	Adjusted mean = 1.70	Adjusted mean = 1.70	Mean difference = 0.00	Study reported = -0.12	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05
PSI Parent-Child dysfunctional interaction	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	24 months postpartum	EHS-HBO impact sample	966 mothers	Adjusted mean = 17.10	Adjusted mean = 17.50	Mean difference = -0.40	Study reported = -0.07	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05
PSI parental distress	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	24 months postpartum	EHS-HBO impact sample	966 mothers	Adjusted mean = 25.10	Adjusted mean = 26.20	Mean difference = -1.10	Study reported = -0.11	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05

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Outcome measure	Outcome measure description	Collection method	Properties	Operations links
FES: Family conflict	The FES assesses the social-environmental characteristics of families. The researchers used the Family Conflict dimension, which measures the extent to which anger, aggression, frustration, and contentious interactions are common in the family.	Parent/caregiver report	Cronbach’s α = 0.67
PSI–SF: Parental DistressPSI: Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction	The PSI–SF assesses stress in the parent-child relationship arising from child temperament, parental depression, and negatively reinforcing parent-child interactions. The researchers used two subscales: (1) Parental Distress, which measures the level of distress parents feel in their role because of personal factors; and (2) Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction, which measures parents’ perception of parent-child interaction not meeting expectations and feelings of child rejection and abuse.	Parent/caregiver report	Cronbach’s α = 0.82 (Parental Distress)Cronbach’s a = 0.78 (Parent Child Dysfunctional Interaction)

Findings rated moderate

Chazan-Cohen, R., Raikes, H. H., & Vogel, C. (2013). V. Program subgroups: Patterns of impacts for home-based, center-based, and mixed-approach programs. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 78(1), 93-109.

Early Head Start Home-Based Option

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Outcome measure	Effect	Follow-up timing	Sample	Sample size	Intervention group	Comparison group	Group difference	Effect size	Statistical significance	Notes
Parent depression	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Age 5	Home-based program approach		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Study reported = -0.08	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05	footnote238 Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Negative value favors the intervention.
Someone in household had alcohol/drug problem in past year	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Age 5	Home-based program approach		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Study reported = -0.04	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05	footnote238 Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Negative value favors the intervention.

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Outcome measure	Outcome measure description	Collection method	Properties	Operations links
Parent depression	The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) measured depression.	Parent survey	Internal consistency= 0.88
Someone in household had alcohol/drug problem in past year	Parent survey response.	Parent survey	Not reported by author

Love, J., Kisker, E., Ross, C. M., Schochet, P. Z., Brooks-Gunn, J., Paulsell, D., et al. (2002). Making a difference in the lives of infants and toddlers and their families: The impacts of Early Head Start. Volumes I-III: Final technical report [and] appendixes [and] local contributions to understanding the programs and their impacts. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Bureau.

Early Head Start Home-Based Option

Show findings details

Outcome measure	Effect	Follow-up timing	Sample	Sample size	Intervention group	Comparison group	Group difference	Effect size	Statistical significance
FES: Family conflict	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	36 months postpartum	EHS-HBO impact sample	950 mothers	Adjusted mean = 1.70	Adjusted mean = 1.70	Mean difference = 0.00	Study reported = -0.01	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05
PSI Parent-Child dysfunctional interaction	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	36 months postpartum	EHS-HBO impact sample	950 mothers	Adjusted mean = 17.50	Adjusted mean = 18.10	Mean difference = -0.60	Study reported = -0.10	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05
PSI Parental distress	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	36 months postpartum	EHS-HBO impact sample	950 mothers	Adjusted mean = 24.90	Adjusted mean = 26.30	Mean difference = -1.40	Study reported = -0.14	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05

Show outcome measure summary

Outcome measure	Outcome measure description	Collection method	Properties	Operations links
FES: Family conflict	The FES assesses the social-environmental characteristics of families. The researchers used the Family Conflict dimension, which measures the extent to which anger, aggression, frustration, and contentious interactions are common in the family.	Parent/caregiver report	Cronbach’s α = 0.68
PSI: Parental DistressPSI: Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction	The PSI–SF assesses stress in the parent-child relationship arising from child temperament, parental depression, and negatively reinforcing parent-child interactions. The researchers used two subscales: (1) Parental Distress, which measures the level of distress parents feel in their role because of personal factors; and (2) Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction, which measures parents’ perception of parent-child interaction not meeting expectations and feelings of child rejection and abuse.	Parent/caregiver report	Cronbach’s α = 0.84 (Parental Distress) Cronbach’s a = 0.81 (Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction)

Love, J., Kisker, E., Ross, C., Schochet, P., Brooks-Gunn, J., Boller, K., et al. (2001). Building their futures: How Early Head Start programs are enhancing the lives of infants and toddlers in low-income families. Summary report. Report to Commissioner’s Office of Research and Evaluation, Head Start Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, and Department of Health and Human Services. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research.

Early Head Start Home-Based Option

Show findings details

Outcome measure	Effect	Follow-up timing	Sample	Sample size	Intervention group	Comparison group	Group difference	Effect size	Statistical significance
CIDI short screening scales: Major depression (probability)	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	24 months postpartum	EHS-HBO impact sample	966 mothers	Adjusted mean = 14.70	Adjusted mean = 12.00	Mean difference = 2.80	Study reported = 0.09	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05
Parent’s health status	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	24 months postpartum	EHS-HBO impact sample	966 mothers	Adjusted mean = 3.40	Adjusted mean = 3.40	Mean difference = 0.00	Study reported = 0.00	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05

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Outcome measure	Outcome measure description	Collection method	Properties	Operations links
CIDI-SF: Major depression	The CIDI-SF assesses the presence of six Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and two DSM-IIIR substance disorders. The researchers used one section of the CIDI-SF, Major Depression, which provided the probability of a depressive episode having been experienced during the previous 12 months.	Parent/caregiver report	Not reported by author
CIDI short screening scales: Major depression (probability)	Provides a probability for a DSM-IV major depressive episode in the past 12 months	Parent assessment	Not reported by author
Parent’s health status	A measure of perceived health status on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)	Parent/caregiver report	Not reported by author

McKelvey, L., Schiffman, R. F., Brophy-Herb, H. E., Bocknek, E. L., Fitzgerald, H. E., Reischl, T. M., Hawver, S., & DeLuca, M. C. (2015). Examining long-term effects of an infant mental health home-based Early Head Start Program on family strengths and resilience. Infant Mental Health Journal, 36(4), 353-365.

EHS - Early Head Start Infant Mental Health Home-Based Services Adaptation (IMH-HB EHS)

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Outcome measure	Effect	Follow-up timing	Sample	Sample size	Intervention group	Comparison group	Group difference	Effect size	Statistical significance	Notes
PSI: parent-child dysfunctional interaction	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3 and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05
PSI: parental distress	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3 and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05
F-COPES: cognitive reframing	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Not statistically significant, p >0.10
F-COPES: seeking support from family and friends	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Not statistically significant, p >0.10
F-COPES: seeking support from neighbors	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Statistically significant, p<0.05	footnote234 Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Comparison group was more likely to seek neighbor support. P-value reported by the author was based on an F-test of repeated measure analysis.
F-COPES: seeking support from service providers	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Not statistically significant, p >0.10
F-COPES: spiritual coping	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Not statistically significant, p > 0.10
McMaster FAD: healthy functioning	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Statistically significant, p<0.01	footnote235 Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB <abbr title="Early Head Start">EHS</abbr> group had higher scores on healthy functioning. P-value reported by the author was based on an F-test of repeated measure analysis.
McMaster FAD: unhealthy functioning	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Statistically significant, p<0.01	footnote236 Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB <abbr title="Early Head Start">EHS</abbr> group had lower scores on unhealthy functioning. P-value reported by the author was based on an F-test of repeated measure analysis.
Pearlin Mastery, age 7	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Age 7	0		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Statistically significant, p<0.05	footnote237 Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB <abbr title="Early Head Start">EHS</abbr> group showed higher levels of perceived mastery. P-value reported by the author was based on an F-test of repeated measure analysis.
PES: attitudes	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Statistically significant, p<0.01	footnote232 Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB <abbr title="Early Head Start">EHS</abbr> group had higher levels of empowerment based on reported attitudes. P-value reported by the author was based on an F-test of repeated measure analysis.
PES: skills & knowledge	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Pooled (ages 3, 5, and 7)	Full sample		Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not available	Statistically significant, p<0.01	footnote233 Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB <abbr title="Early Head Start">EHS</abbr> group had higher levels of empowerment based on reported knowledge and skills. P-value reported by the author was based on an F-test of repeated measure analysis.

Show outcome measure summary

Outcome measure	Outcome measure description	Collection method	Properties	Operations links
PSI: parent-child dysfunctional interaction	This subscale from the PSI measures parents’ perception of parent-child interaction not meeting the parent's expectations.	Parent/caregiver report	The parent-child dysfunctional interaction subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .79 and .78 for the study sample at ages 3 and 7, respectively.
PSI: parental distress	This subscale from the PSI measures the level of distress parents feel in their role because of personal factors.	Parent/caregiver report	The authors report that the parental distress subscale was associated with stress associated with parenting demands and with depressive symptomatology. The subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .83 and .82 for the study sample at ages 3 and 7, respectively.
F-COPES: cognitive reframing	The F-COPES measures behaviors and attitudes that families use to respond to problems.	Parent/caregiver report	The reframing subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .72, .68, and .68 for the study sample at ages 3, 5, and 7, respectively.
F-COPES: seeking support from family and friends	The F-COPES measures behaviors and attitudes that families use to respond to problems.	Parent/caregiver report	The seeking support from family and friends subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .81, .83, and .80 for the study sample at ages 3, 5, and 7, respectively.
F-COPES: seeking support from neighbors	The F-COPES measures behaviors and attitudes that families use to respond to problems.	Parent/caregiver report	The seeking support from neighbors subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .72, .79, and .69 for the study samples at ages 3, 5, and 7, respectively.
F-COPES: seeking support from service providers	The F-COPES measures behaviors and attitudes that families use to respond to problems.	Parent/caregiver report	The seeking support from service providers subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .60, .61, and .74 for the study sample at ages 3, 5, and 7, respectively.
F-COPES: spiritual coping	The F-COPES measures behaviors and attitudes that families use to respond to problems.	Parent/caregiver report	The spiritual coping subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .85, .82, and .85 for the study sample at ages 3, 5, and 7, respectively.
McMaster FAD: healthy functioning	The McMaster FAD healthy functioning subscale assesses emotional supportiveness between family members.	Parent/caregiver report	The healthy functioning subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .85, .76, and .86 for the study sample at ages 3, 5, and 7, respectively.
McMaster FAD: unhealthy functioning	The McMaster FAD unhealthy functioning subscale assesses lack of family cohesion.	Parent/caregiver report	The unhealthy functioning subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .78, .80, and .84 for the study sample at ages 3, 5, and 7, respectively.
Pearlin Mastery, age 7	The Pearlin Mastery Scale assesses the degree to which a person has a sense of mastery or control over their life.	Parent/caregiver report	The Pearlin Mastery Scale had a Cronbach's alpha of .69 for the study sample at age 7.
PES: attitudes	The PES measures psychological empowerment for parents of children with a disability.	Parent/caregiver report	The attitudes subscale had Cronbach's alphas of .83 and .86 for the study samples at ages 3 and 5, respectively.
PES: skills & knowledge	The PES measures psychological empowerment for parents of children with a disability.	Parent/caregiver report	The skills and knowledge subscale had a Cronbach's alpha of .77 for the study sample at both ages 3 and 5.

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