Relationships reduce risks for child maltreatment: Results of an experimental trial of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting

Megan M Julian; Jessica Riggs; Kristyn Wong; Jamie M Lawler; Holly E Brophy-Herb; Julie Ribaudo; Ann Stacks; Jennifer M Jester; Jerrica Pitzen; Katherine L Rosenblum; Maria Muzik; Michigan Collaborative for Infant Mental Health Research (MCIMHR)

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.979740

Relationships reduce risks for child maltreatment: Results of an experimental trial of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting

Front Psychiatry. 2023 Feb 28:14:979740. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.979740. eCollection 2023.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
² Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, United States.
³ Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.
⁴ School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
⁵ School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.
⁶ Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.
⁷ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.

Abstract

Background: Research examining the effectiveness of home visiting programs that reduce child maltreatment or associated risks yield mixed findings; some find positive significant impacts on maltreatment, whereas others find small to no effects. The Michigan Model of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting (IMH-HV) is a manualized, needs-driven, relationship-focused, home-based intervention service that significantly impacts maternal and child outcomes; the effect of this intervention on child maltreatment has not been sufficiently evaluated.

Objective: The current study examined associations between treatment and dosage of IMH-HV and child abuse potential in a longitudinal, randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Participants and setting: Participants included 66 mother-infant dyads (Mother M age = 31.93 years at baseline; child M age = 11.22 months at baseline) who received up to 1 year of IMH-HV treatment (Mdn = 32 visits) or no IMH-HV treatment during the study period.

Methods: Mothers completed a battery of assessments including the Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAP) at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up assessment.

Results: Regression analyses indicated that after controlling for baseline BCAP scores, those who received any IMH-HV treatment had lower 12-month BCAP scores compared to those who received no treatment. Additionally, participation in more visits was associated with lower child abuse potential at 12 months, and a reduced likelihood of scoring in the risk range.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that greater participation in IMH-HV is associated with decreased risk for child maltreatment 1 year after initiating treatment. IMH-HV promotes parent-clinician therapeutic alliance and provides infant-parent psychotherapy which differentiate it from traditional home visiting programs.

Keywords: Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory; child abuse – prevention and control; child maltreatment risk; home visiting; infant mental health; mother-infant dyads; parenting.