Original Article   

Minerva Pediatrics 2022 Mar 23

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5276.22.06679-4

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Efficacy of a Brazelton home-visiting program: a single-case subject analysis

Cecilia TAZZA ✉, Giuseppe BOVE, Susanna PALLINI

Department of Educational Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Roma, Italy

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this current study is to examine the efficacy of a one-year home-visiting Brazelton program to support at-risk families, that is based on the concept of Touchpoints and anticipatory guidance.
METHODS: A single-subject analysis evaluated the treatment of a middle-class family with three children (48, 42 and 11 months) benefited from a one-year home-visiting program with a home visitor certified in the Brazelton method. Inclusion criteria, based on a pre-assessment grid, were: (a) prior use of corporal punishment in the home, (b) unavailability of support from extended family, (c) number of offspring (3). The family was constantly monitored over the course of the treatment program with a Weekly checklist and was assessed at four intervals (T1-baseline, T2-four months after, T3-end, and T4- follow up) using the M-Scale of Perceived Social Support, Protective Factors Survey, and Helping Relationship Inventory.
RESULTS: The change over time analyzed by the linear regression model and the C test showed significant increase in the mother’s compliance, active participation, and emotional involvement with her children and a Follow-up assessment after six months confirmed the discontinued use of the corporal punishments, indicating future directions for the efficacy of the Brazelton method for assisting at- risk parents.
CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that the Brazelton method constitutes an effective approach for improving sensitive parental care and preventing future problems in their children.

KEY WORDS: Home visiting; Prevention; Single-case designs