The Family Check-Up With High-Risk Indigent Families: Preventing Problem Behavior by Increasing Parents' Positive Behavior Support in Early Childhood

• NCJ Number: 253607
• Journal: Child Development Volume: 79 Issue: 5 Dated: 2008 Pages: 1395-1414
• Author(s): Thomas J. Dishion; Arin Connell; Chelsea Weaver; Daniel Shaw; Frances Gardner; Melvin Wilson; Thomas J. Dishion
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In the current study, 731 income-eligible families in three geographical regions who were enrolled in a national food supplement program were screened and randomized to a brief family intervention.

Abstract

At child ages 2 and 3, the intervention group caregivers were offered the Family Check-Up and linked parenting support services. Latent growth models on caregiver reports at child ages 2, 3, and 4 showed decreased behavioral problems compared with the control group. Intervention effects occurred predominantly among families who reported high levels of problem behavior at child age 2. Families in the intervention condition improved on direct observation measures of caregivers' positive behavioral support at child ages 2 and 3; improvements in positive behavior support mediated improvements in children's early problem behavior. 7 figures, 3 tables, and 108 references