Table 2

Evaluation period, outcome pleasures, and HOME scores

Reference Evaluation period Outcome measures HOME scores Other parenting outcomes
2-150Field et al (1980), USA15 8 monthsMean HOME subscale score (specific subscale not specified), mother–child interaction, developmental expectations, discipline strategiesInt = 5.6, Con = 4.2; p<0.001Intervention group: better knowledge of developmental milestones, more realistic expectations, better mother–child interaction, less punitive child rearing attitudes
2-150Larson (1980), Canada16 8 weeks, 6, 12, 18 monthsMean HOME scores, maternal behaviour towards childInt AInt BConpIntervention group: more positive emotional involvement with child, more responsive to child
6 weeks 
29.3		25.826.7<0.001
6 months35.233.733.2=0.055
12 months40.137.837.8<0.001
18 months41.238.639.0=0.041
2-150Fieldet al (1982), USA17 4, 8, 12, 24 monthsMean HOME scoreInt A 35, Int B 36, Con 33 NS
2-150Barrera et al (1986), Canada18 4, 16 monthsTotal HOME scoreANOVA: F(3, 79) = 4.17, p<0.01No difference in mother–child interaction
Mother–child interaction
Oldset al (1986, 1994), USA19 20 34, 46 monthsMean HOME scoreAInt CInt DA–D (95% CI)Intervention group: greater maternal involvement with child. No difference in frequency of spanking, hitting, or scolding
Mother–child interaction, discipline strategies.34 months39.038.539.1−0.05 (−1.9, 1.8)
46 months39.740.239.70.01 (−1.7, 1.7)
Barnard et al (1988)/Boothet al (1989), USA21 22 12, 24, 36 monthsHOME score
 
Mother–child interaction (nursing child assessment teaching scale)		Reported more positive HOME scores at 12 and 24 months in intervention group. No data providedIntervention group: more positive mother–child interaction reported. No data provided
Osofsky et al(1988), USA23 6, 13, 20 monthsHOME scoreReported no difference in HOME scores. No data provided
2-150Infante-Rivard et al(1989), Canada24 9 monthsMean HOME scoreInt = 35.6 (SD 3.2), Con = 33.7 (SD 4.7) p>0.05
2-150Wasiket al (1990), USA25 6, 12, 18, 30 monthsMean HOME score
Discipline strategies		Int A (SD)Int B (SD)Con
(SD)		pNo difference in authoritarian or progressive attitudes to discipline
6 months30.3 (6.3)26.9 (7.5)29.1 (5.1)>0.05
12 months32.4 (4.8)29.6 (6.5)28.0 (6.6)>0.05
18 months32.2 (4.5)29.6 (6.4)30.4 (6.6)>0.05
30 months31.8 (6.8)31.2 (5.4)30.1 (4.8)>0.05
2-150Huxley and Warner (1993), USA26 Mean 13 (int) and 16 (con) monthsTotal HOME scoreχ2=19.55, p=0.0001. Unclear how HOME score was categorisedIntervention group: diminished belief in corporal punishment. No difference in empathy or role reversal
Discipline strategies, inability to empathise with child's needs, role reversal
2-150Black et al (1994), USA27 18 monthsMean HOME scoreInt = 35.1 (SEM 1.2), Con = 31.4 (SEM 1.5), F=3.78, p=0.065
2-150Caseyet al (1994), USA28 36 monthsMean HOME scoreInt = 38.1 (SD 9.1), Con = 35.6 (SD 9.5), p>0.05
Marcenko and Spence (1994), USA29 6 monthsHOME scoreReported no difference in HOME scores. No data provided
2-150Blacket al (1995), USA30 18 monthsMean HOME scoreInt (SD)Con (SD)No difference in parental warmth or child interaction
Parental warmth, child interactionYounger31.6 (3.6)29.3 (4.2)
Older32.4 (5.1)30.3 (5.7)
F=3.84, p=0.05
Shapiro (1995), Canada31 12 monthsHOME scoreReported significant difference favouring intervention group. No data provided
2-150Kitzman et al (1997), USA32 24 monthsMean HOME scoreInt = 32.2, Con = 30.9, mean difference = −1.3 (−2.2, −0.4) p=0.003No difference in mother–child interaction
Mother–child interaction (nursing child assessment teaching scale)
2-150Davis and Spurr (1998), UK33 13–23 weeksMean HOME scoreMean change in HOME scoreIncreased positiveness towards child in intervention group
0–3 years: Int 5.37, Con −2.08, p=0.005
4+ years: Int 8.71, Con −2.13, p=0.03

  • ↵2-150 Studies whose outcome measures have been included in the meta analysis.