Early Head Start—Home-based option

Model effectiveness research report last updated: 2024

Effects shown in research

Maternal health

Findings rated high

Knox, V., & Michalopoulos, C. (2023). Mother and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation (MIHOPE), United States, 2012-2019. MIHOPE Model Results Documentation [Study 1, EHS contrast]. Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR37848.v3.

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
Current smoker	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	15-month follow-up	EHS-HBO vs. Resource referral RCT (MIHOPE); 2012-2014, full sample	457 mothers	Not reported	Not reported	Difference = -0.07	Study reported = -0.22	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Negative effect is favorable to the intervention. The statistical significance after the author's adjustment for multiple comparisons is reported. The study reported this finding was statistically significant (p = .02) prior to a multiple comparisons adjustment.
Parenting Stress Index - Short Form (PSI-SF), Parent-child dysfunctional interaction	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	15-month follow-up	EHS-HBO vs. Resource referral RCT (MIHOPE); 2012-2014, full sample	460 mothers	Not reported	Not reported	Difference = 0.20	Not available	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Negative effect is favorable to the intervention. The statistical significance after the author's adjustment for multiple comparisons is reported.
Parenting Stress Index - Short Form (PSI-SF), Parental distress	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	15-month follow-up	EHS-HBO vs. Resource referral RCT (MIHOPE); 2012-2014, full sample	460 mothers	Not reported	Not reported	Difference = 0.10	Not available	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Negative effect is favorable to the intervention. The statistical significance after the author's adjustment for multiple comparisons is reported.
Received any behavioral health services	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	15-month follow-up	EHS-HBO vs. Resource referral RCT (MIHOPE); 2012-2014, full sample	456 mothers	Not reported	Not reported	Difference = -0.04	Study reported = -0.26	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05	The statistical significance after the author's adjustment for multiple comparisons is reported.
Substance use during the past three months	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	15-month follow-up	EHS-HBO vs. Resource referral RCT (MIHOPE); 2012-2014, full sample	453 mothers	Not reported	Not reported	Difference = 0.03	Study reported = 0.13	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Negative effect is favorable to the intervention. The statistical significance after the author's adjustment for multiple comparisons is reported.

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

Michalopoulos, C., Faucetta, K., Hill, C. J., Portilla, X., Burrell, L., Lee, H., Duggan, A., & Knox, V. (2019). Impacts on family outcomes of evidence-based early childhood home visiting: Results from the Mother and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation (OPRE Report 2019-07). [Study 1-EHS contrast]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/opre/mihope_impac….

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
New pregnancy after study entry, % (fixed effect random slope analysis)	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	15 months old	EHS-HBO vs. Resource referral RCT (MIHOPE), 2012-2014, United States, full sample	457 mothers	Not reported	Not reported	Difference = 0.03	Not available	Not statistically significant, p= 0.54
New pregnancy after study entry, % (restricted maximum likelihood analysis)	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	15 months old	EHS-HBO vs. Resource referral RCT (MIHOPE), 2012-2014, United States, full sample	457 mothers	Not reported	Not reported	Difference = 0.03	Not available	Not statistically significant, p= 0.52
New pregnancy after study entry, % (split-sample analysis)	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	15 months old	EHS-HBO vs. Resource referral RCT (MIHOPE), 2012-2014, United States, full sample	457 mothers	Not reported	Not reported	Difference = 0.03	HomVEE calculated = 0.14	Not statistically significant, p= 0.40

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

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	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	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Negative value favors the intervention.

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	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

Vogel, C. A., Xue, Y., Moiduddin, E. M., Kisker, E. E., & Carlson, B. L. (2010). Early Head Start children in grade 5: Long-term follow-up of the Early Head Start research and evaluation study sample (OPRE Report #2011-8). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/opre/grade5.pdf

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
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Grade 5	EHS-HBO vs. comparison, 1996-1998, full sample	746 caregivers	Adjusted mean = 6.90	Adjusted mean = 7.80	Mean difference = -0.90	Study reported = -0.12	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 Negative effect is favorable to the intervention.
Parenting Stress Index (PSI)	FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect	Grade 5	EHS-HBO vs. comparison, 1996-1998, full sample	746 caregivers	Adjusted mean = 8.40	Adjusted mean = 8.80	Mean difference = -0.40	Study reported = -0.11	Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05

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
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

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.

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

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Outcome measure	Effect	Follow-up timing	Sample	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	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	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB EHS 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	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB EHS 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	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB EHS 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	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB EHS 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	Submitted by user on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 14:29 IMH-HB EHS 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.

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