How do mothers benefit from early intervention programs?

Abstract

Extant reviews of early childhood intervention programs for the disadvantaged focus on the benefits that accrue to the children. Programs also may influence the parents (typically the mother), as most programs provide services to the mother as well as the child. In this article, the efficacy of a particular set of programs is reviewed. Early interventions that are educationally oriented, that are at least six months in duration, that begin prior to age 3, and that serve disadvantaged families were reviewed. Of the 27 programs, 11 offered regular, substantive, center-based programming (mode = 40 hr/week; M = 25.7 hr/week), and 16 offered home visits and/or center-based programs on a less frequent basis. Maternal benefits are reviewed for maternal employment and education, fertility, mother-infant interaction, home environment, maternal mental health and self-esteem, and maternal attitudes and knowledge about childrearing. The programs had the most impact on maternal employment and education, on subsequent fertility, and on mother-infant interaction. Implications of these findings for programs for poor families are considered. © 1992.