Leckey, Yvonne and Hickey, Grainne and Stokes, Ann and McGilloway, Sinéad
(2019)
Parent and facilitator experiences of an intensive parent and infant programme delivered in routine community settings.
Primary Health Care Research & Development, 20 (e74).
pp. 1-12.
ISSN 1463-4236
Abstract
Aim: The aims of this study were to (1) assess the initial experiences of parenthood amongst
mainly disadvantaged mothers; (2) explore their views on the extent to which they felt they had
benefitted (or not) from participating in a newly developed, intensive mother and baby
support programme in the community; and (3) explore the perspectives of those who delivered
the programme (i.e., facilitators), most of whom were Public Health Nurses (PHNs).
Background: Positive parent–child interactions and appropriate levels of infant stimulation
are essential to promoting a child’s well-being and laying a foundation in the early years for
positive developmental outcomes. It is important, therefore, to examine participants’ experiences of community-based, family-focused, early prevention and intervention programmes.
Methods: This study was undertaken as part of a larger evaluation of a newly developed parent
and infant (PIN) programme which was delivered in two disadvantaged areas in Ireland.
One-to-one interviews were conducted with both mothers (n = 22) and facilitators (n = 8)
(including three PHNs) plus six focus groups with an additional sub-group of facilitators
(n = 17). Findings: The collective findings suggest that mothers found the programme helpful
in promoting a greater understanding of their infants’ behaviour and needs, and in alleviating
stress and concerns associated with motherhood. Mothers described feeling more knowledgeable about the importance of regular and appropriate infant interaction to encourage learning
and development. Facilitators, specifically PHNs, also reported a greater awareness of the value
of infant socioemotional development for their clinical practice and observed greater positive
communication between mothers and infants. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a
community-based, intensive mother and baby programme can help to promote parental
competence and enhance infant learning and development. Additional benefits in terms of early
intervention and positive changes to public health nursing practice are also discussed.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
community-based practice; early intervention;
infant socioemotional development; parent
and baby programme; parent–child
relationship; public health nursing; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology |
| Item ID: |
13904 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1017/S146342361900029X |
| Depositing User: |
Dr. Sinéad McGilloway
|
| Date Deposited: |
01 Feb 2021 14:03 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Primary Health Care Research & Development |
| Publisher: |
Cambridge University Press |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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