Preparing for Life—Home Visiting Meets HHS Criteria

Model effectiveness research report last updated: 2023

Effects shown in research

Maternal health

Findings rated high

Preparing for Life—Home Visiting
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Outcome measure Effect Follow-up timing Sample Sample size Intervention group Comparison group Group difference Effect size Statistical significance Notes

Parental Cognition and Conduct Toward the Infant Scale (PACOTIS), Parental self-efficacy score, unweighted

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 children Unadjusted mean = 8.80 Unadjusted mean = 8.68 Mean difference = 0.12 Study reported = 0.10

Not statistically significant, p = 0.51

Parenting Stress Index (PSI) short version, Dysfunctional interactions score, unweighted

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

164 children Unadjusted mean = 17.03 Unadjusted mean = 18.28 Mean difference = -1.25 Study reported = -0.23

Not statistically significant, p = 0.14

Parenting Stress Index (PSI) short version, Parenting distress score, unweighted

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

172 children Unadjusted mean = 26.02 Unadjusted mean = 25.55 Mean difference = 0.47 Study reported = 0.06

Not statistically significant, p = 0.69

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Outcome measure Effect Follow-up timing Sample Sample size Intervention group Comparison group Group difference Effect size Statistical significance Notes

Below World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Score of 13

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted proportion = 0.23 Unadjusted proportion = 0.26 Mean difference = -0.03 Study reported = -0.06

Not statistically significant, p = 0.65

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression cut-off

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted proportion = 0.23 Unadjusted proportion = 0.17 Mean difference = 0.06 Study reported = 0.16

Not statistically significant, p = 0.33

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score, past 6 months

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted mean = 6.53 Unadjusted mean = 6.63 Mean difference = -0.10 Study reported = -0.02

Not statistically significant, p = 0.91

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score, past 7 days

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted mean = 5.87 Unadjusted mean = 6.36 Mean difference = -0.49 Study reported = -0.09

Not statistically significant, p = 0.55

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Knows families with children same age as baby

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

170 mother/child dyads Unadjusted proportion = 0.66 Unadjusted proportion = 0.56 Mean difference = 0.10 Study reported = 0.21

Not statistically significant, p = 0.18

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Mother number of general practitioner (GP) visits in past 6 months

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

171 mother/child dyads Unadjusted mean = 2.51 Unadjusted mean = 1.94 Mean difference = 0.57 Study reported = 0.16

Not statistically significant, p = 0.30

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Mother took or is currently on maternity leave

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

171 mother/child dyads Unadjusted proportion = 0.28 Unadjusted proportion = 0.33 Mean difference = -0.05 Study reported = 0.10

Not statistically significant, p = 0.48

Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Difficult Child

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted mean = 19.45 Unadjusted mean = 20.19 Mean difference = -0.74 Study reported = -0.14

Not statistically significant, p = 0.36

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Parent-child Dysfunctional Interactions

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted mean = 16.94 Unadjusted mean = 18.40 Mean difference = -1.46 Study reported = -0.28

Not statistically significant, p = 0.07

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Parental Distress

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted mean = 26.02 Unadjusted mean = 25.71 Mean difference = 0.31 Study reported = 0.04

Not statistically significant, p = 0.79

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Stress Cut-off Score

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted proportion = 0.01 Unadjusted proportion = 0.06 Mean difference = -0.05 Study reported = -0.24

Not statistically significant, p = 0.12

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Parenting Stress Index (PSI), total score

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted mean = 62.41 Unadjusted mean = 64.30 Mean difference = -1.89 Study reported = -0.12

Not statistically significant, p = 0.42

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Percentage Score

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

6 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

173 mother/child dyads Unadjusted mean = 64.34 Unadjusted mean = 64.53 Mean difference = -0.19 Study reported = -0.01

Not statistically significant, p = 0.95

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

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Outcome measure Effect Follow-up timing Sample Sample size Intervention group Comparison group Group difference Effect size Statistical significance Notes

Below World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Score of 13

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.35 Unadjusted proportion = 0.42 Mean difference = -0.07 Study reported = -0.14

Not statistically significant, p = 0.36

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Below World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Score of 13 (0-6 months), difference-in-difference estimate

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 0.26 Unadjusted mean = 0.24 Mean difference = 0.02 HomVEE calculated = 0.00

Not statistically significant, p = 1.00

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Consumed alcohol above recommended level

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

159 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.11 Unadjusted proportion = 0.10 Mean difference = 0.01 Study reported = 0.04

Not statistically significant, p = 0.84

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Currently pregnant

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.06 Unadjusted proportion = 0.04 Mean difference = 0.02 Study reported = 0.12

Not statistically significant, p = 0.56

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Drank alcohol in past 6 months

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

164 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.83 Unadjusted proportion = 0.94 Mean difference = -0.11 Study reported = -0.36

Statistically significant, p = 0.04

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Drug use in past 6 months

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

164 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.02 Unadjusted proportion = 0.04 Mean difference = -0.02 Study reported = -0.07

Not statistically significant, p = 0.46

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Future Outlook Inventory (FOI)

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 2.66 Unadjusted mean = 2.63 Mean difference = 0.03 Study reported = 0.06

Not statistically significant, p = 0.73

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Healthy Eating Scale (adapted from Shrivastava et al., 2013)

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

163 mothers Unadjusted mean = 19.14 Unadjusted mean = 19.52 Mean difference = -0.38 Study reported = -0.07

Not statistically significant, p = 0.68

Less than 6 hours sleep per night

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

162 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.21 Unadjusted proportion = 0.17 Mean difference = 0.04 Study reported = 0.09

Not statistically significant, p = 0.52

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Maternal Efficacy Mean Score (combined Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale and Parental Self-Efficacy)

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 3.00 Unadjusted mean = 3.07 Mean difference = -0.07 Study reported = -0.13

Not statistically significant, p = 0.37

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Maternal Efficacy Mean Score (combined Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale and Parental Self-Efficacy), difference-in-difference estimate

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 3.00 Unadjusted mean = 3.07 Mean difference = -0.07 HomVEE calculated = 0.14

Not statistically significant, p = 0.37

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Meets friends daily

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

164 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.65 Unadjusted proportion = 0.54 Mean difference = 0.11 Study reported = 0.23

Not statistically significant, p = 0.15

Number of general practitioner visits in past 6 months

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

164 mothers Unadjusted mean = 2.51 Unadjusted mean = 2.17 Mean difference = 0.34 Study reported = 0.09

Not statistically significant, p = 0.57

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Parental Self-Efficacy (adapted from Borkowski et al., 2001)

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 3.16 Unadjusted mean = 3.29 Mean difference = -0.13 Study reported = -0.24

Not statistically significant, p = 0.13

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Parental Self-Efficacy (adapted from Borkowski et al., 2001), difference-in-difference estimate

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 3.16 Unadjusted mean = 3.29 Mean difference = -0.13 HomVEE calculated = 0.02

Not statistically significant, p = 0.91

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale, Mastery cut-off

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.12 Unadjusted proportion = 0.14 Mean difference = -0.02 Study reported = -0.07

Not statistically significant, p = 0.70

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale, Mastery Mean Score

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 2.87 Unadjusted mean = 2.88 Mean difference = -0.01 Study reported = -0.02

Not statistically significant, p = 0.91

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Pearlin Self-Efficacy Scale, Mastery Mean Score, difference-in-difference estimate

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 2.87 Unadjusted mean = 2.88 Mean difference = -0.01 HomVEE calculated = 0.19

Not statistically significant, p = 0.23

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Regular exercise

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

164 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.41 Unadjusted proportion = 0.42 Mean difference = -0.01 Study reported = -0.03

Not statistically significant, p = 0.90

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

Smoked in past 6 months

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

164 mothers Unadjusted proportion = 0.53 Unadjusted proportion = 0.52 Mean difference = 0.01 Study reported = 0.03

Not statistically significant, p = 0.90

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Percentage Score

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 57.61 Unadjusted mean = 56.39 Mean difference = 1.22 Study reported = 0.05

Not statistically significant, p = 0.75

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d

World Health Organisation - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Percentage Score (0-6 months), difference-in-difference estimate

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

12 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers Unadjusted mean = 63.69 Unadjusted mean = 64.98 Mean difference = -1.29 HomVEE calculated = 0.06

Not statistically significant, p = 0.68

Authors' reported effect size is Cohen's d
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Outcome measure Effect Follow-up timing Sample Sample size Intervention group Comparison group Group difference Effect size Statistical significance Notes

Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC) scale

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted mean = 10.26 Unadjusted mean = 10.56 Mean difference = -0.30 Study reported = -0.10

Not statistically significant, p = 0.53

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS), 10 cut-off score

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.23 Unadjusted proportion = 0.31 Mean difference = -0.08 Study reported = -0.18

Not statistically significant, p = 0.25

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS), past 7 days

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted mean = 6.67 Unadjusted mean = 7.38 Mean difference = -0.71 Study reported = -0.13

Not statistically significant, p = 0.40

Maternal History of Antisocial Behavior Scale, antisocial behavior as adult

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.04 Unadjusted proportion = 0.05 Mean difference = -0.01 Study reported = -0.05

Not statistically significant, p = 0.76

Meet friends most days

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

164 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.57 Unadjusted proportion = 0.60 Mean difference = -0.03 Study reported = -0.07

Not statistically significant, p = 0.70

Mother binge drinking (>6 units in a sitting at least once per week)

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.22 Unadjusted proportion = 0.25 Mean difference = -0.03 Study reported = -0.07

Not statistically significant, p = 0.65

Mother currently a smoker

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.51 Unadjusted proportion = 0.52 Mean difference = -0.01 Study reported = -0.04

Not statistically significant, p = 0.90

Mother currently using a valid form of birth control

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.65 Unadjusted proportion = 0.56 Mean difference = 0.09 Study reported = 0.18

Not statistically significant, p = 0.24

Mother drank alcohol in past 6 months

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.78 Unadjusted proportion = 0.83 Mean difference = -0.05 Study reported = -0.14

Not statistically significant, p = 0.42

Mother drug use in past 6 months

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.04 Unadjusted proportion = 0.04 Mean difference = 0.00 Study reported = 0.01

Not statistically significant, p = 1.00

Mother more than 14 units of alcohol consumed per week

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.21 Unadjusted proportion = 0.24 Mean difference = -0.03 Study reported = -0.07

Not statistically significant, p = 0.65

Mother number of general practitioner visits

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

163 mothers and children Unadjusted mean = 2.43 Unadjusted mean = 1.78 Mean difference = 0.65 Study reported = 0.21

Not statistically significant, p = 0.17

Mother pregnant (subsequent pregnancy)

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

165 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.17 Unadjusted proportion = 0.11 Mean difference = 0.06 Study reported = 0.19

Not statistically significant, p = 0.27

Parenting Stress Index (PSI): 90 cut-off score

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted proportion = 0.02 Unadjusted proportion = 0.12 Mean difference = -0.10 Study reported = -0.37

Statistically significant, p = 0.03

Parenting Stress Index (PSI): Difficult child

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted mean = 21.67 Unadjusted mean = 22.68 Mean difference = -1.01 Study reported = -0.15

Not statistically significant, p = 0.35

Parenting Stress Index (PSI): Parent-child dysfunctional interactions

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted mean = 18.34 Unadjusted mean = 18.92 Mean difference = -0.58 Study reported = -0.10

Not statistically significant, p = 0.52

Parenting Stress Index (PSI): Parental distress

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted mean = 25.90 Unadjusted mean = 25.71 Mean difference = 0.19 Study reported = 0.02

Not statistically significant, p = 0.89

Parenting Stress Index (PSI): Total score

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted mean = 65.91 Unadjusted mean = 67.31 Mean difference = -1.40 Study reported = -0.08

Not statistically significant, p = 0.63

Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect

24 months old

High PFL vs. Low PFL; Dublin, Ireland 2008-2010; full sample

166 mothers and children Unadjusted mean = 13.45 Unadjusted mean = 13.49 Mean difference = -0.04 Study reported = -0.01

Not statistically significant, p = 0.93

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