Manuscript Details

Yarger, H. A., Hoye, J. R., & Dozier, M. (2016). Trajectories of change in Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up among high-risk mothers: A randomized clinical trial. Infant Mental Health Journal, 37(5), 525–536. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21585

Additional Sources:

  • Yarger, H. A. (2015). Investigating trajectories of change in Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up among high-risk mothers: A randomized clinical trial. Unpublished manuscript.

Model(s): Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC) -Infant
High rating
Study reviewed under: Handbook of Procedures and Standards, Version 1
Study design characteristics contributing to rating
Design Attrition Baseline equivalence Confounding factors? Valid, reliable measures?
Randomized controlled trial Low

Established on race; established on SES; established on outcome measures assessable at baseline

None

 Not assessed in manuscripts reviewed under Handbook of Procedures and Standards, Version 1
Positive Parenting Practices
Outcome Measure Timing of Follow-Up Rating Direction of Effect Effect Size (Absolute Value) Stastical Significance Sample Size Sample Description
Growth in parental intrusiveness 16 to 19 weeks High
0.81 Statistically significant, p = 0.02 24 mothers Delaware mothers
Growth in parental sensitivity 16 to 19 weeks High
0.70 Statistically significant, p = 0.04 24 mothers Delaware mothers
Effect rating key
Favorable finding / Statistically significant
Unfavorable finding / Statistically significant
Ambiguous finding / Statistically significant
No effect / Not statistically significant

Note: Tables do not include findings that HomVEE rated low or indeterminate, or found to be ineligible for review.

This study included participants with the following characteristics at enrollment:

Race/Ethnicity

The race and ethnicity categories may sum to more than 100 percent if Hispanic ethnicity was reported separately or respondents could select two or more race or ethnicity categories.

Black or African American
54%
White
38%
Two or more races
4%
Unknown
4%

Maternal Education

Less than a high school diploma
25%
High school diploma or GED
42%
Some college or Associate's degree
25%
Unknown
8%

Other Characteristics

Data not available

This study included participants from the following locations:

  • Delaware
Study Participants

The study is a randomized controlled trial. The Division of Family Services in Delaware referred mothers who had an unsubstantiated allegation of child neglect to participate in the study. After eligible mothers consented to participate, researchers randomly assigned 13 mothers to the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC) condition and 11 to the Developmental Education for Families (DEF) (control) condition.Based on the screening criteria, all mothers had children ages 6 to 20 months old and a household income less than $35,000. Most mothers identified as African American or European American.

Setting

Delaware

Intervention condition
Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC) -Infant

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

DEF is another home-based intervention. Like ABC, it is also a manualized treatment conducted over 10 sessions with a parent coach. However, its focus is on improving children's gross and fine motor, cognitive, and language skills.

Author Affiliation

Not reported.

Funding Sources

Not reported.