PFL Evaluation Team at the UCD Geary Institute. (2012). Preparing For Life early childhood intervention: Assessing the impact of Preparing For Life at twelve months. Dublin, Ireland: UCD Geary Institute.
Model(s): Preparing for Life—Home Visiting
Study design characteristics contributing to rating
| Design | Attrition | Baseline equivalence | Confounding factors? | Valid, reliable measures? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randomized controlled trial | Low |
Not assessed for randomized controlled trials with low attrition |
No |
Yes |
Notes from the review of this manuscript
Information on how certain measures were constructed and their reliability, information to satisfy the baseline equivalence requirement for findings with high attrition, and information on the regression imputation method were based on correspondence with the author. HomVEE's calculations for statistical significance are used because authors' calculations were based on one-tailed statistical tests. Several findings not reported in the tables below received a low rating because they had high attrition and did not satisfy the baseline requirement or failed to establish face validity and/or did not satisfy the reliability requirement. Findings about mothers’ civic engagement, partnership status, marital status, household size, the presence of grandparents, and whether the mother knows the baby’s weight are ineligible for review because they do not fall in one of HomVEE’s eligible outcome domains. Measures of the fathers’ income and employment status are ineligible for review because HomVEE does not review measures of family self-sufficiency for the father, unless the manuscript clearly indicates that the father resides in the household.
Several findings for the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, and for subscales of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories, Brief Child-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment, Developmental Profile-3, and Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2, as well as findings about child's health and health problems, are duplicates of those reported in two peer-reviewed manuscripts: Doyle et. al (2015) and Doyle et. al (2017). These findings are reported under those peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Child Development and School Readiness
| Outcome Measure | Timing of Follow-Up | Rating | Direction of Effect | Effect Size (Absolute Value) | Stastical Significance | Sample Size | Sample Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Fine Motor Cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.07 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.46 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Gross Motor Cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.10 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.56 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Problem Solving Cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.17 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.26 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Problem Solving Score | 12 months old | High | 0.01 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.97 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Social-Emotional Cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.09 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.49 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Standardised Total Score | 12 months old | High | 0.13 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.41 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Brief Child-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA), Competence Score | 12 months old | High | 0.16 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.80 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Brief Child-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA), Competence Score Cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.29 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.07 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Brief Child-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA), Problem Score Cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.05 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.76 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Developmental Profile-3 (DP3), Cognitive Development Above Average Cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.04 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.80 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Difficult Temperament (items adapted from Child Characteristics Questionnaire) | 12 months old | High | 0.11 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.47 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI), First Communicative Gestures | 12 months old | High | 0.37 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.53 | 162 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI), Vocabulary Words Produced | 12 months old | High | 0.12 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.98 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI), Vocabulary Words Understood | 12 months old | High | 0.15 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.76 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Temperament and Atypical Behaviour Scale (TABS) Score, proportion at risk of atypical development | 12 months old | High | 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.35 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Temperament and Atypical Behaviour Scale (TABS) Score, total score (risk of atypical development above a score of 0) | 12 months old | High | 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.36 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Used any type of childcare | 12 months old | High | 0.30 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.05 | 163 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Used formal childcare | 12 months old | High | 0.25 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.12 | 163 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Health
| Outcome Measure | Timing of Follow-Up | Rating | Direction of Effect | Effect Size (Absolute Value) | Stastical Significance | Sample Size | Sample Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ever vaccinated | 12 months old | High | 0.16 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.26 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| How often the child eats dairy | 12 months old | High | 0.29 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.06 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| How often the child eats fruits | 12 months old | High | 0.01 | Not statistically significant, p = 1.00 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| How often the child eats grains | 12 months old | High | 0.29 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.07 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| How often the child eats other food (for example, sweets, crisps, and chips) | 12 months old | High | 0.19 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.23 | 164 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| How often the child eats protein | 12 months old | High | 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.40 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| How often the child eats vegetables | 12 months old | High | 0.01 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.88 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Necessary immunisations at 12 months | 12 months old | High | 0.31 | Statistically significant, p = 0.04 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Sleeps undisturbed through the night | 12 months old | High | 0.11 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.49 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Family Economic Self-Sufficiency
| Outcome Measure | Timing of Follow-Up | Rating | Direction of Effect | Effect Size (Absolute Value) | Stastical Significance | Sample Size | Sample Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equivalised weekly household income | 12 months old | High | 0.01 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.96 | 142 families | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Mother in paid employment | 12 months old | High | 0.15 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.36 | 163 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Mother long-term unemployed (greater than 12 months) | 12 months old | High | 0.21 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.20 | 162 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Mother unemployed | 12 months old | High | 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.33 | 164 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Receives social welfare payments | 12 months old | High | 0.09 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.51 | 163 families | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Saves regularly | 12 months old | High | 0.06 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.70 | 163 families | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Linkages and Referrals
| Outcome Measure | Timing of Follow-Up | Rating | Direction of Effect | Effect Size (Absolute Value) | Stastical Significance | Sample Size | Sample Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social worker working with family | 12 months old | High | 0.06 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.78 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Maternal Health
| Outcome Measure | Timing of Follow-Up | Rating | Direction of Effect | Effect Size (Absolute Value) | Stastical Significance | Sample Size | Sample Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Score of 13 | 12 months old | High | 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.36 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Below World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Score of 13 (0-6 months), difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.00 | Not statistically significant, p = 1.00 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Consumed alcohol above recommended level | 12 months old | High | 0.04 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.84 | 159 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Currently pregnant | 12 months old | High | 0.12 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.56 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Drug use in past 6 months | 12 months old | High | 0.07 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.46 | 164 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Future Outlook Inventory (FOI) | 12 months old | High | 0.06 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.73 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Healthy Eating Scale (adapted from Shrivastava et al., 2013) | 12 months old | High | 0.07 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.68 | 163 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Less than 6 hours sleep per night | 12 months old | High | 0.09 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.52 | 162 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Maternal Efficacy Mean Score (combined Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale and Parental Self-Efficacy) | 12 months old | High | 0.13 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.37 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Maternal Efficacy Mean Score (combined Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale and Parental Self-Efficacy), difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.37 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Meets friends daily | 12 months old | High | 0.23 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.15 | 164 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Number of general practitioner visits in past 6 months | 12 months old | High | 0.09 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.57 | 164 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Parental Self-Efficacy (adapted from Borkowski et al., 2001) | 12 months old | High | 0.24 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.13 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Parental Self-Efficacy (adapted from Borkowski et al., 2001), difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.02 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.91 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale, Mastery cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.07 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.70 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale, Mastery Mean Score | 12 months old | High | 0.02 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.91 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale, Mastery Mean Score, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.19 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.23 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Regular exercise | 12 months old | High | 0.03 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.90 | 164 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Smoked in past 6 months | 12 months old | High | 0.03 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.90 | 164 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Percentage Score | 12 months old | High | 0.05 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.75 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Percentage Score (0-6 months), difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.06 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.68 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Drank alcohol in past 6 months | 12 months old | High | 0.36 | Statistically significant, p = 0.04 | 164 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Positive Parenting Practices
| Outcome Measure | Timing of Follow-Up | Rating | Direction of Effect | Effect Size (Absolute Value) | Stastical Significance | Sample Size | Sample Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), Appropriate parent-child roles | 12 months old | High | 0.02 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.91 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), Belief in the use of inappropriate punishment- At risk cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.22 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.63 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), Inappropriate parent-child roles- At risk cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.00 | Not statistically significant, p = 1.00 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), Parental empathy | 12 months old | High | 0.01 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.98 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), Parental lack of empathy- At risk of cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.22 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.16 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), Realistic parental expectations of children | 12 months old | High | 0.09 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.59 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), total number of scales at risk | 12 months old | High | 0.00 | Not statistically significant, p = 1.00 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), Total score | 12 months old | High | 0.11 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.47 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI), Unrealistic parental expectations of children- At risk cut-off | 12 months old | High | 0.06 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.78 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), Appropriate parent-child roles, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.08 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.59 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), Belief in the use of appropriate punishment, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.30 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.054 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), Belief in the use of inappropriate punishment- At risk cut-off, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.19 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.23 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), Inappropriate parent-child roles- At risk cut-off, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.15 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.33 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), Parental empathy, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.06 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.69 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), Parental lack of empathy- At risk of cut-off, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.33 | Statistically significant, p = 0.04 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), Realistic parental expectations of children, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.10 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.52 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), Unrealistic parental expectations of children- At risk cut-off, difference-in-difference estimate | 12 months old | High | 0.35 | Statistically significant, p = 0.03 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Appropriateness of sleeping location | 12 months old | High | 0.30 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.09 | 162 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Family Environment Scale (FES), Cohesion Standard Score | 12 months old | High | 0.27 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.08 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Family Environment Scale (FES), Conflict Standard Score | 12 months old | High | 0.09 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.57 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Family Environment Scale (FES), Organisation Standard Score | 12 months old | High | 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.37 | 165 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Father has daily contact with child | 12 months old | High | 0.01 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.89 | 164 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Father part of child's life | 12 months old | High | 0.17 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.26 | 164 children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample | |
| Satisfied with father's involvement | 12 months old | High | 0.04 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.78 | 165 mothers | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
This study included participants from the following locations:
- State not reported or international
International Locations
Ireland
Study Participants
Study participants were pregnant women recruited in a maternity hospital or in the community. A total of 233 pregnant women were randomly assigned to either the Preparing for Life—Home Visiting group that received home visiting services (“high PFL”; 115 participants) or the comparison condition (“low PFL”; 118 participants) that did not receive home visiting services. The study included a total of 165 participants, 82 in the high PFL group and 83 in the low PFL comparison group. Outcomes were measured when the children in the sample were 12 months old. At intake, the average age of the mothers was 25. The percentage of mothers identifying as Irish was 96 percent, and 4 percent identified as Irish Traveller. About half of the women were first-time mothers.
Setting
The study took place in North Dublin, Ireland.
Intervention condition
Note: Navigate to the model page for more information about the home visiting model. See the source manuscript for more information about how the model was implemented in this study.
Comparison Conditions
Participants in the low PFL (comparison) group did not have access to the home visiting services or tip sheets. The comparison group did, however, receive some of the same resources made available to the high PFL (intervention) group, including the package of safety items and toys. These participants had access to an information officer who met with participants before the child’s birth and at various intervals after birth and provided information on Preparing for Life community events and other local services. Participants in the comparison group had access to public health workshops, such as a stress-control program and a healthy food program.
Subgroups examined
• Child gender (boy or girl) • Parity (primiparous) • Relationship status (single parent) • Cognitive resources of mother (high or low as measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) • Emotional well-being level of mother (high or low as measured by the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index) • Maternal substance use/disorder (smoked or drank during pregnancy) • Maternal familial risk (high as measured by a survey of household domestic risks)
Funding Sources
The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (Ireland) supported the research.