Source
PFL Evaluation Team at the UCD Geary Institute. (2013). Preparing For Life: Early childhood intervention: Assessing the impact of Preparing For Life at twenty-four months. Dublin, Ireland: UCD Geary Institute.
The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (Ireland) supported the research.
Study Design
| Design | Attrition | Baseline equivalence | Confounding factors | Valid, reliable measures? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randomized controlled trial | Low | Not assessed for randomized controlled trials with low attrition |
No |
Yes |
Information on how certain measures were constructed and their reliability were based on correspondence with the author. Several findings not reported in the tables below received a low rating because they did not satisfy the reliability requirement. HomVEE’s calculations for statistical significance are used because authors’ calculations are based on one-tailed statistical tests. Findings about mothers’ civic engagement, partnership status, household size, child number of siblings, 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. Findings for child number of health problems for which they were taken to doctor/health center/casualty and child received medical attention for wheezing or asthma are duplicates of those reported in Doyle et al. (2015) and are reported under that peer-reviewed manuscript.
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 that did not receive home visiting services (“low PFL”; 118 participants). The study included a total of 166 participants, 82 in the high PFL group and 84 in the low PFL comparison group. Outcomes were measured when the children in the sample were 24 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.
The study took place in North Dublin, Ireland.
Preparing for Life—Home Visiting provided home visits that lasted 30 minutes to two hours during the mother’s pregnancy and until the child started school at age 5. The majority of participants received visits every two weeks, though some participants received services monthly. The home visitor was a trained Preparing for Life mentor. The mentor provided information by using tip sheets and worked with participants to resolve issues around the child’s development, including the child’s prebirth development, nutrition, rest and routine, and cognitive and social development. The mentor also addressed the mother and her supports. Participants had access to baby massage sessions until the child was 10 months old. Participants also received packages of materials, including home safety items (corner guards, angle latches, heat-sensitive spoons, and baby gym/play mats) and toys (puzzles, activity toys, and bricks), worth about 100 Euros per package.
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.
• 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)
Findings that rate moderate or high in this manuscript
| Outcome measure | Timing of follow-up | Rating | Effect size | Stastical significance | Sample size | Sample description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): Communication score |
24 months old |
High | -0.03 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.86 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): Social-emotional score |
24 months old |
High | 0.04 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.80 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): Gross motor score |
24 months old |
High | -0.04 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.78 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): Social-emotional cut-off score |
24 months old |
High | 0.05 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.84 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): Gross motor cut-off score |
24 months old |
High | 0.12 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.56 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): Communication cut-off score |
24 months old |
High | 0.13 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.37 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI): Can combine words |
24 months old |
High | 0.16 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.28 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI): Vocabulary words produced |
24 months old |
High | 0.03 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.85 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA): Problem score |
24 months old |
High | -0.24 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.12 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA): Competence score |
24 months old |
High | -0.06 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.67 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA): Problem cut-off score |
24 months old |
High | -0.28 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.07 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA): Competence cut-off score |
24 months old |
High | 0.05 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.83 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA): Dysregulation |
24 months old |
High | -0.29 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.07 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA): Internal problems, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.22 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.16 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA): Red flag |
24 months old |
High | -0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.37 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA): External problems, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.07 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.68 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Total score |
24 months old |
High | -0.20 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.19 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Internalizing problems, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.11 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.49 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Externalizing problems, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.10 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.53 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Total score cut-off |
24 months old |
High | -0.39 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.22 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Externalizing problems cut-off, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.27 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.29 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Internalizing problems cut-off, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.22 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.15 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Sleep problems |
24 months old |
High | -0.33 | Statistically significant, p = 0.03 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Other problems, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.29 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.06 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Emotionally reactive, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.36 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Attention problems |
24 months old |
High | -0.12 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.44 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Anxious/depressed, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.11 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.48 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Somatic complaints, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | -0.11 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.49 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Aggressive behavior |
24 months old |
High | -0.08 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.59 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Withdrawn, Inverse Probability Weighted results |
24 months old |
High | 0.05 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.74 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Developmental Profiles 3 (DP-3): Cognitive development standardized score |
24 months old |
High | 0.27 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.09 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Developmental Profiles 3 (DP-3): Above average cut-off, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.25 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.12 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child receiving special services, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.19 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.20 |
166 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
| Outcome measure | Timing of follow-up | Rating | Effect size | Stastical significance | Sample size | Sample description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Child had chest infection in last 6 months, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | -0.26 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.10 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child stayed in hospital for at least one day in last 6 months, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | -0.17 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.22 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
How often child eats protein, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.34 | Statistically significant, p = 0.03 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child has poor eating habits, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | -0.25 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.11 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
How often child eats fruits, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.25 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.11 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
How often child eats vegetables, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.23 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.13 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
How often child eats dairy, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.10 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.63 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
How often child eats grains, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.05 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.77 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
How often child eats other food (sugars and fats), Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.38 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
How often child drinks formula, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | -0.16 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.30 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Child eats fatty food daily, Multiple Imputation results |
24 months old |
High | 0.21 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.20 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
| Outcome measure | Timing of follow-up | Rating | Effect size | Stastical significance | Sample size | Sample description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parental Cognition and Conduct Toward the Infant Scale (PACOTIS): Parental self efficacy |
24 months old |
High | 0.29 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.07 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Parental Cognition and Conduct Toward the Infant Scale (PACOTIS): Baby comparison score |
24 months old |
High | 0.29 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.07 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Parental Cognition and Conduct Toward the Infant Scale (PACOTIS): Parental impact |
24 months old |
High | 0.20 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.21 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Parental Cognition and Conduct Toward the Infant Scale (PACOTIS): Parental warmth |
24 months old |
High | 0.15 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.36 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Parental Cognition and Conduct Toward the Infant Scale (PACOTIS): Parental hostile-reactive behavior |
24 months old |
High | -0.10 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.51 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
Parental Cognition and Conduct Toward the Infant Scale (PACOTIS): Parental over-protection |
24 months old |
High | 0.12 | Not statistically significant, p = 0.45 |
165 mothers and children | High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample |
This study included participants with the following characteristics at enrollment:
Race/Ethnicity
Maternal Education
Other Characteristics
This study included participants from the following locations:
- State not reported or international