Impacts of family support in early childhood intervention research

2010

Ann Turnbull
[email protected]
785-864-7600

The purpose of this paper is to review intervention research to determine the types offamily support that are reported and evaluated in early childhood. This review includes 26 articles evaluating (a) parent training programs; (b) general family-centered practice models which offer comprehensive supports; (c) peer support; (d) two-generation programs; and (e) respite care. In the article, we focus our discussion on: (a) the definitions or description of family support, (b) the family variables or impacts evaluated and their findings, and (c) the link between support and impacts to both the ECO outcomes and the family quality of life domains. This review indicates a need for specific and consistent terminology in defining family support in the early intervention field. Further, a family support framework to guide future research to investigate both long-term and short-term outcomes for families is warranted.

Peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals Published/In Press

Consumers/Families, Professionals

N/A