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Brushe ME, Lynch JW, Melhuish E, Reilly S, Mittinty MN, Brinkman SA. Objectively measured infant and toddler screen time: Findings from a prospective study. SSM Popul Health 2023; 22:101395. [PMID: 37096246 PMCID: PMC10122061 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Screen time guidelines recommend no screens under two years due to the potential negative impacts on development. While current reports suggest many children exceed this, research relies on parent reports of their children's screen exposure. We objectively assess screen exposure during the first two years and how it differs by maternal education and gender. Methods This Australian prospective cohort study used speech recognition technology to understand young children's screen exposure over an average day. Data collection occurred every six months when children were 6, 12, 18 and, 24 months old (n = 207). The technology provided automated counts of children's exposure to electronic noise. Audio segments were then coded as screen exposure. Prevalence of screen exposure was quantified, and differences between demographics examined. Results At six months, children were exposed to an average of 1hr, 16 min (SD = 1hr, 36 min) of screens per day, increasing to an average of 2 h, 28 min (SD = 2 h, 4 min) by 24-months. Some children at six months were exposed to more than 3 h of screen time per day. Inequalities in exposure were evident as early as six months. Children from higher educated families were exposed to 1hr,43 min fewer screens per day, 95%CI (-2hr, 13 min, -1hr, 11 min) compared to lower educated households, with this difference remaining consistent as children age. Girls were exposed to an additional 12 min of screens 95%CI (-20 min, 44 min) per day compared to boys at six months, but this difference reduced to only 5 min by 24-months. Conclusion Using an objective measure of screen exposure, many families exceed screen time guidelines, the extent increasing with child's age. Furthermore, substantial differences between maternal education groups emerge as young as six months old. This highlights the need for education and supports for parents around screen use in the early years, balanced within the realities of modern life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E. Brushe
- Telethon Kids Institute, Ground Floor, 108 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 4, Rundle Mall Plaza Building, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Corresponding author. Telethon Kids Institute, Ground Floor 108 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - John W. Lynch
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 4, Rundle Mall Plaza Building, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, G40 Griffith Health Centre, Level 8.86 Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Sheena Reilly
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY, UK
| | - Murthy N. Mittinty
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Sally A. Brinkman
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 4, Rundle Mall Plaza Building, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Education Futures, University of South Australia, Campus Central – City West, SA, 5001, Australia
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Siraj I, Melhuish E, Howard SJ, Neilsen-Hewett C, Kingston D, De Rosnay M, Huang R, Gardiner J, Luu B. Improving quality of teaching and child development: A randomised controlled trial of the leadership for learning intervention in preschools. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1092284. [PMID: 36687934 PMCID: PMC9845694 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1092284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Substantial research indicates that high quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) confers a wide range of benefits for children, yet quality in ECEC remains inconsistent. Given the variability in training and qualifications, one strategy for improving ECEC quality is in-service professional development (PD). Methods The current study evaluated an evidence-based in-service PD programme, Leadership for Learning, via a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 83 ECEC services and 1,346 children in their final year of pre-school. Results Results indicated significant improvements in teaching quality across treatment centres and child development outcomes in language, numeracy and social-emotional development. Discussion This study provides strong support for making evidence-informed PD routinely available for ECEC practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iram Siraj
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Iram Siraj,
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Steven J. Howard
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Denise Kingston
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marc De Rosnay
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Runke Huang
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Gardiner
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Betty Luu
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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3
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Brushe M, Lynch J, Reilly S, Melhuish E, Brinkman S. 409The Word Gap: At What Age Does it Emerge? Results from a Prospective Cohort Study. Int J Epidemiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab168.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Language is a critical development accomplishment of early childhood, enabling later literacy, education and employment. Previous studies have highlighted socioeconomic inequalities in the amount parents speak to their child, with researchers estimating by age four parents from professional backgrounds spoke 30 million more words to their children, than parents who were on welfare.
Methods
This study utilises innovative speech recognition technology called Language Environment Analysis (LENA), which counts the number of words children hear and speak over a day. LENA data is collected once every six months from 6 – 48 months of age, across two cohorts of children who are stratified by two levels of maternal education to examine the effects across socioeconomic groups.
Results
Results from the first three waves of data collection demonstrate that differences between education groups in the number of adult words spoken to the child are not evident until the children are 18 months old. Average change in adult word counts per day by maternal education show there is a difference of 17 words at 6 months, 568 words at 12 months and 3,851 words at 18 months.
Conclusions
This is the first study to be able to identify the age when socioeconomic differences in the amount of talk emerge. This has significant implications for the timing of interventions aiming to reduce the word gap, suggesting targeting the implementation of programs prior to 18 months.
Key messages
Socioeconomic differences in the amount parents talk to their children do not emerge until children are 18 months old.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Brushe
- Telethon Kids Institute, Adelaide, Australia
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - John Lynch
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Sally Brinkman
- Telethon Kids Institute, Adelaide, Australia
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Brushe ME, Lynch J, Reilly S, Melhuish E, Mittinty MN, Brinkman SA. The education word gap emerges by 18 months: findings from an Australian prospective study. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:247. [PMID: 34020609 PMCID: PMC8139043 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02712-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The idea of the '30 million word gap' suggests families from more socioeconomically advantaged backgrounds engage in more verbal interactions with their child than disadvantaged families. Initial findings from the Language in Little Ones (LiLO) study up to 12 months showed no word gap between maternal education groups. METHODS Families with either high or low maternal education were purposively recruited into a five-year prospective study. We report results from the first three waves of LiLO when children were 6, 12 and 18 months old. Day-long audio recordings, obtained using the Language Environment Analysis software, provided counts of adult words spoken to the child, child vocalizations and conversational turns. RESULTS By the time children were 18 months old all three measures of talk were 0.5 to 0.7 SD higher among families with more education, but with large variation within education groups. Changes in talk from 6 to 18 months highlighted that families from low educated backgrounds were decreasing the amount they spoke to their children (- 4219.54, 95% CI -6054.13, - 2384.95), compared to families from high educated backgrounds who remained relatively stable across this age period (- 369.13, 95% CI - 2344.57, 1606.30). CONCLUSIONS The socioeconomic word gap emerges between 12 and 18 months of age. Interventions to enhance maternal communication, child vocalisations and vocabulary development should begin prior to 18 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Brushe
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Level 15, 31 Flinders St, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia. .,School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 9, Adelaide Health & Medical Science Building, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
| | - John Lynch
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 9, Adelaide Health & Medical Science Building, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, First Floor, 5 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, B28 1UD, UK
| | - Sheena Reilly
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland G40 Griffith Health Centre, Griffith University, Level 8.86 Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY, UK
| | - Murthy N Mittinty
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 9, Adelaide Health & Medical Science Building, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Sally A Brinkman
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Level 15, 31 Flinders St, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 9, Adelaide Health & Medical Science Building, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
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Brushe ME, Lynch JW, Reilly S, Melhuish E, Brinkman SA. How many words are Australian children hearing in the first year of life? BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:52. [PMID: 32013944 PMCID: PMC6996161 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-1946-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is evidence that parents from more socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds engage in fewer verbal interactions with their child than more advantaged parents. This leads to the so-called, ‘30 million-word gap’. This study aims to investigate the number of words children hear and the number of vocalizations children produce in their first year of life and examines whether these aspects of the early language home environment differ by maternal education. Methods Mothers were recruited into a five-year prospective cohort study and categorized into either high or low maternal education groups. Data was derived from the first two waves of the study, when the children were six and twelve months old. At both waves, children were involved in day-long audio recordings using the Language Environment Analysis software that provided automatic counts of adult words spoken to the child, child vocalizations and conversational turns. Descriptive results are presented by maternal education groups. Results There was large variation within each maternal education group, with the number of adult words spoken to the child ranging from 2958 to 39,583 at six months and 4389 to 45,849 at twelve months. There were no meaningful differences between adult words, child vocalizations or conversational turns across maternal education groups at either wave of data collection. Conclusions These results show that a word gap related to maternal education is not apparent up to twelve months of age. The large variability among both maternal education groups suggests that universal interventions that encourage all parents to talk more to their child may be more appropriate than interventions targeted towards disadvantaged families during the first year of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Brushe
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australian, Level 15, 31 Flinders St, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia. .,School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 9, Adelaide Health & Medical Science Building, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
| | - John W Lynch
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 9, Adelaide Health & Medical Science Building, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, First Floor, 5 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1UD, UK
| | - Sheena Reilly
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland G40 Griffith Health Centre, Griffith University, Level 8.86 Gold Coast Campus, Mount Gravatt, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY, UK
| | - Sally A Brinkman
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australian, Level 15, 31 Flinders St, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 9, Adelaide Health & Medical Science Building, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
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6
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Yeoh SL, Eastwood J, Wright IM, Morton R, Melhuish E, Ward M, Oei JL. Cognitive and Motor Outcomes of Children With Prenatal Opioid Exposure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e197025. [PMID: 31298718 PMCID: PMC6628595 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.7025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Prenatal opioid exposure (POE) is one of the fastest-growing global health problems, but its association with long-term neurologic and physical development remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To assess the association between POE and cognitive and motor development in children from age 6 months to 18 years. DATA SOURCES Key search terms included prenatal opioid exposure, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and neurocognitive development. Studies were searched using PubMed and Embase, with no publication date restriction, through August 20, 2018. STUDY SELECTION Only published cohort studies comparing the results of age-appropriate standardized cognitive and/or motor tests between children with any POE (aged 0-18 years) with drug-free controls were included. Data that were not convertible to means and SDs were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS This study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Standardized mean difference of cognitive and motor tests between POE and nonexposed children. RESULTS Twenty-six peer-reviewed cohort studies were included. Cognitive outcomes were compared for a total of 1455 children with POE and 2982 nonexposed children across 3 age groups (mean [SE] age at cognitive testing was 13 [1.58] months for the toddler group; 4.5 [0.38] years for the preschool group; and 13 [2.36] years for the school-aged group). Motor outcomes were compared for 688 children with POE and 1500 nonexposed children up to age 6 years (mean [SD] age at motor testing, 2 [0.45] years). Standardized mean difference was lower in cognitive tests for children with POE at 0 to 2 years (d = -0.52; 95% CI, -0.74 to -0.31; P < .001) and 3 to 6 years (d = -0.38; 95% CI, -0.69 to -0.07; P < .001); the difference was not significant for those aged 7 to 18 years (d = -0.44; 95% CI, -1.16 to 0.28; P = .23). Motor scores were lower in children with POE (d = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.23-0.74; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Prenatal opioid exposure appeared to be negatively associated with neurocognitive and physical development from age 6 months, and this association persisted until adolescence. The cause and association of this with POE or other factors (eg, withdrawal treatment) are uncertain but suggest that POE necessitates long-term support and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Lynn Yeoh
- Medical student, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Eastwood
- Medical student, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Local Health District, Croydon, New South Wales, Australia
- Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Women, Children and Their Families, Camperdown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian M. Wright
- Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rachael Morton
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Edward Melhuish
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Meredith Ward
- Medical student, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ju Lee Oei
- Medical student, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Newborn Care, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia
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Howard SJ, Cook CJ, Everts L, Melhuish E, Scerif G, Norris S, Twine R, Kahn K, Draper CE. Challenging socioeconomic status: A cross‐cultural comparison of early executive function. Dev Sci 2019; 23:e12854. [DOI: 10.1111/desc.12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Howard
- Early Start and School of Education University of Wollongong Wollongong NSW Australia
| | - Caylee J. Cook
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Lizl Everts
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Department of Education University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom
| | - Gaia Scerif
- Department of Experimental Psychology University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom
| | - Shane Norris
- MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Rhian Twine
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research Umeå University Umeå Sweden
- INDEPTH Network Accra Ghana
| | - Catherine E. Draper
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
- MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
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8
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Hammer D, Melhuish E, Howard SJ. Antecedents and consequences of social–emotional development: A longitudinal study of academic achievement. Archives of Scientific Psychology 2018. [DOI: 10.1037/arc0000034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Murray L, Jennings S, Mortimer A, Prout A, Melhuish E, Hughes C, Duncan J, Holmes J, Dishington C, Cooper PJ. The impact of early-years provision in Children's Centres (EPICC) on child cognitive and socio-emotional development: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2018; 19:450. [PMID: 30134990 PMCID: PMC6103971 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-2700-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are marked disparities between pre-school children in key skills affecting school readiness, disparities that commonly persist and influence children’s later academic achievements, employment, and adjustment. Much of this disparity is linked to socio-economic disadvantage and its impact on the home learning environment. Children’s Centres are an ideal context in which to implement and evaluate programmes to address this problem. They principally serve the 30% worst areas on the Indices of Deprivation Affecting Children, providing for families from the antenatal period up to age 5 years, aiming to promote parenting skills and provide care for children. Methods We are conducting a randomised controlled trial, based in Children Centres, to evaluate a parenting intervention for caregivers of children between 28 and 45 months of age. The intervention provides training to parents in dialogic book-sharing. The training is run by a facilitator who sees parents in small groups, on a weekly basis over 7 weeks. The study is a cluster randomised controlled trial. Twelve of the Children’s Centres in the town of Reading in the UK have been randomly assigned to an index or control condition. The primary outcome is child cognition (language, attention, and executive function); and secondary outcomes are child social development, behaviour problems, and emotion regulation, parenting during book-sharing and problem solving and parental child behaviour management strategies. Data are collected at baseline, post-intervention and 4–6 months post-intervention. Discussion The Impact of Early-years Provision in Children’s Centres trial (EPICC) aims to evaluate the impact of an early parenting intervention on several key risk factors for compromised child development, including aspects of parenting and child cognition, social development, behaviour problems and emotion regulation. The study is being carried out in Children’s Centres, which largely serve the most disadvantaged families in the UK. Since the intervention is brief and, with modest levels of training, readily deliverable within Children’s Centres and similar early childcare provision centres, demonstration that it is of benefit to child cognition, socio-emotional development and behaviour would be important. Trial registration ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN28513611. Registered on 28 March 2017. This is version 1 of the protocol for the EPICC trial. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2700-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynne Murray
- University of Reading, Reading, UK. .,Stellenbosch University, and the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - John Duncan
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joni Holmes
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Peter J Cooper
- University of Reading, Reading, UK. .,Stellenbosch University, and the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
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Cliff DP, McNeill J, Vella SA, Howard SJ, Santos R, Batterham M, Melhuish E, Okely AD, de Rosnay M. Adherence to 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years and associations with social-cognitive development among Australian preschool children. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:857. [PMID: 29219104 PMCID: PMC5773906 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4858-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The new Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years recommend that, for preschoolers, a healthy 24-h includes: i) ≥180 min of physical activity, including ≥60 min of energetic play, ii) ≤1 h of sedentary screen time, and iii) 10–13 h of good quality sleep. Using an Australian sample, this study reports the proportion of preschool children meeting these guidelines and investigates associations with social-cognitive development. Methods Data from 248 preschool children (mean age = 4.2 ± 0.6 years, 57% boys) participating in the PATH-ABC study were analyzed. Children completed direct assessments of physical activity (accelerometry) and social cognition (the Test of Emotional Comprehension (TEC) and Theory of Mind (ToM)). Parents reported on children’s screen time and sleep. Children were categorised as meeting/not meeting: i) individual guidelines, ii) combinations of two guidelines, or iii) all three guidelines. Associations were examined using linear regression adjusting for child age, sex, vocabulary, area level socio-economic status and childcare level clustering. Results High proportions of children met the physical activity (93.1%) and sleep (88.7%) guidelines, whereas fewer met the screen time guideline (17.3%). Overall, 14.9% of children met all three guidelines. Children meeting the sleep guideline performed better on TEC than those who did not (mean difference [MD] = 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.36, 2.47). Children meeting the sleep and physical activity or sleep and screen time guidelines also performed better on TEC (MD = 1.36; 95% CI = 0.31, 2.41) and ToM (MD = 0.25; 95% CI = −0.002, 0.50; p = 0.05), respectively, than those who did not. Meeting all three guidelines was associated with better ToM performance (MD = 0.28; 95% CI = −0.002, 0.48, p = 0.05), while meeting a larger number of guidelines was associated with better TEC (3 or 2 vs. 1/none, p < 0.02) and ToM performance (3 vs. 2, p = 0.03). Conclusions Strategies to promote adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Behaviour Guidelines for the Early Years among preschool children are warranted. Supporting preschool children to meet all guidelines or more guidelines, particularly the sleep and screen time guidelines, may be beneficial for their social-cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan P Cliff
- Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. .,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - Jade McNeill
- Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Stewart A Vella
- Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Steven J Howard
- Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Rute Santos
- Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marijka Batterham
- Statistical Consulting Service, School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Anthony D Okely
- Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Marc de Rosnay
- Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
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11
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Barnes J, Stuart J, Allen E, Petrou S, Sturgess J, Barlow J, Macdonald G, Spiby H, Aistrop D, Melhuish E, Kim S, Pink J, Datta J, Elbourne D. Results of the First Steps study: a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of the Group Family Nurse Partnership (gFNP) programme compared with usual care in improving outcomes for high-risk mothers and their children and preventing abuse. Public Health Res 2017. [DOI: 10.3310/phr05090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundFamily Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a home-based nurse home-visiting programme to support vulnerable parents. Group Family Nurse Partnership (gFNP) has similar aims and materials and was demonstrated to be feasible in implementation evaluations.ObjectivesTo determine whether or not gFNP, compared with usual care, could reduce risk factors for maltreatment in a vulnerable group and be cost-effective.DesignA multisite randomised controlled parallel-group trial and prospective economic evaluation, with eligible women allocated (minimised by site and maternal age group) to gFNP or usual care.SettingCommunity locations in the UK.ParticipantsExpectant mothers aged < 20 years with one or more previous live births, or expectant mothers aged 20–24 years with no previous live births and with low educational qualifications (defined as General Certificate of Education at grade C or higher in neither mathematics nor English language or, if they had both, no more than four General Certificates of Education at grade C or higher).InterventionForty-four sessions of gFNP (14 during pregnancy and 30 in the first 12 months after birth) were offered to groups of between 8 and 12 women with similar expected delivery dates (the difference between the earliest and latest expected delivery date ranged from 8 to 10 weeks depending on the group) by two family nurses (FNs), one of whom had notified her intention to practise as a midwife.Main outcome measuresParenting was assessed by a self-report measure of parenting opinions, the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory Version 2 (AAPI-2), and an objective measure of maternal sensitivity, the CARE-Index. Cost-effectiveness was primarily expressed in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained.Data sourcesInterviews with participants at baseline and when infants were aged 2, 6 and 12 months. Cost information from nurse weekly logs and other service delivery data.ResultsIn total, 166 women were enrolled (99 to the intervention group and 67 to the control group). Adjusting for site and maternal age group, the intention-to-treat analysis found no effect of gFNP on either of the primary outcomes. AAPI-2 total was 7.5/10 [standard error (SE) 0.1] in both arms [difference also adjusted for baseline 0.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) –0.15 to 0.28;p = 0.50]. CARE-Index maternal sensitivity mean: intervention 4.0 (SE 0.3); control 4.7 (SE 0.4) (difference –0.76, 95% CI –1.67 to 0.13;p = 0.21). The sensitivity analyses supported the primary analyses. The probability that the gFNP intervention was cost-effective based on the QALY measure did not exceed 3%. However, in terms ofchangein AAPI-2 score (baseline to 12 months), the probability that gFNP was cost-effective reached 25.1%. A separate discrete choice experiment highlighted the value placed by both pregnant women and members of the general population on non-health outcomes that were not included in the QALY metric.LimitationsSlow recruitment resulted in smaller than ideal group sizes. In some cases, few or no sessions took place owing to low initial group size, and small groups may have contributed to attrition from the intervention. Exposure to gFNP sessions was below maximum for most group members, with only 58 of the 97 intervention participants receiving any sessions; FNs were experienced with FNP but were mainly new to delivering gFNP.ConclusionsThe trial does not support the delivery of gFNP as a means of reducing the risk of child abuse or neglect in this population.Future workA randomised controlled trial with modified eligibility to enable first-time mothers aged < 20 years to be included, and a modified recruitment strategy to enable faster identification of potential participants from antenatal medical records.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN78814904.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full inPublic Health Research; Vol. 5, No. 9. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Barnes
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Jane Stuart
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stavros Petrou
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Joanna Sturgess
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jane Barlow
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Helen Spiby
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dipti Aistrop
- Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Sungwook Kim
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Joshua Pink
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Jessica Datta
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Diana Elbourne
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Barnes J, Stuart J, Allen E, Petrou S, Sturgess J, Barlow J, Macdonald G, Spiby H, Aistrop D, Melhuish E, Kim SW, Elbourne D. Randomized controlled trial and economic evaluation of nurse-led group support for young mothers during pregnancy and the first year postpartum versus usual care. Trials 2017; 18:508. [PMID: 29092713 PMCID: PMC5667036 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-017-2259-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Child maltreatment is a significant public health problem. Group Family Nurse Partnership (gFNP) is a new intervention for young, expectant mothers implemented successfully in pilot studies. This study was designed to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of gFNP in reducing risk factors for maltreatment with a potentially vulnerable population. Methods A multi-site, randomized controlled, parallel-arm trial and prospective economic evaluation was conducted, with allocation via remote randomization (minimization by site, maternal age group) to gFNP or usual care. Participants were expectant mothers aged below 20 years with at least one live birth, or aged 20–24 years with no live births and with low educational qualifications. Data from maternal interviews at baseline and when infants were 2, 6 and 12 months, and video-recording at 12 months, were collected by researchers blind to allocation. Cost information came from weekly logs completed by gFNP family nurses and other service delivery data reported by participants. Primary outcomes measured at 12 months were parenting attitudes (Adult-Adolescent Parenting Index, AAPI-2) and maternal sensitivity (CARE Index). The economic evaluation was conducted from a UK NHS and personal social services perspective with cost-effectiveness expressed in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. The main analyses were intention-to-treat with additional complier average causal effects (CACE) analyses. Results Between August 2013 and September 2014, 492 names of potential participants were received of whom 319 were eligible and 166 agreed to take part, 99 randomly assigned to receive gFNP and 67 to usual care. There were no between-arm differences in AAPI-2 total (7 · 5/10 in both, SE 0.1), difference adjusted for baseline, site and maternal age group 0 · 06 (95% CI − 0 · 15 to 0 · 28, p = 0 · 59) or CARE Index (intervention 4 · 0 (SE 0 · 3); control 4 · 7 (SE 0 · 4); difference adjusted for site and maternal age group − 0 · 68 (95% CI − 1 · 62 to 0 · 16, p = 0 · 25) scores. The probability that gFNP is cost-effective based on the QALY measure did not exceed 3%. Conclusions The trial did not support gFNP as a means of reducing the risk of child maltreatment in this population but slow recruitment adversely affected group size and consequently delivery of the intervention. Trial registration ISRCTN78814904. Registered on 17 May 2013. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2259-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Barnes
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
| | - Jane Stuart
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stavros Petrou
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Joanna Sturgess
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jane Barlow
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Helen Spiby
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dipti Aistrop
- Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.,Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sung Wook Kim
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Diana Elbourne
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Sutcliffe AG, Gardiner J, Melhuish E. Educational Progress of Looked-After Children in England: A Study Using Group Trajectory Analysis. Pediatrics 2017; 140:peds.2017-0503. [PMID: 28778858 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-0503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Looked-after children in local authority care are among the most disadvantaged, and measures of their well-being, including educational outcomes, are poorer than other children's. METHODS The study sample consisted of all children in England born in academic years 1993 to 1994 through 1997 to 1998 who were in local authority care at any point during the academic years 2005 to 2006 through 2012 to 2013 and for whom results of national tests in literacy and numeracy were available at ages 7, 11, and 16 (N = 47 500). RESULTS Group trajectory analysis of children's educational progress identified 5 trajectory groups: low achievement, late improvement, late decline, predominant, and high achievement. Being looked after earlier was associated with a higher probability of following a high achievement trajectory and a lower probability of following a late decline trajectory. For children first looked after between ages 7 and 16, having a longer total time looked after by age 16 was associated with a higher probability of following a high achievement trajectory. For children with poor outcomes at ages 7 and 11, being looked after by age 16 was associated with an increased chance of educational improvement by age 16. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that early entry into care can reduce the risk of poor educational outcomes. It also establishes group trajectory analysis as an effective method for analyzing the educational progress of looked-after children, with the particular strength that it allows factors associated with a late decline or improvement in educational progress to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julian Gardiner
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom; and.,Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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14
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Howard SJ, Melhuish E. An Early Years Toolbox for Assessing Early Executive Function, Language, Self-Regulation, and Social Development: Validity, Reliability, and Preliminary Norms. J Psychoeduc Assess 2017; 35:255-275. [PMID: 28503022 PMCID: PMC5424850 DOI: 10.1177/0734282916633009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Several methods of assessing executive function (EF), self-regulation, language development, and social development in young children have been developed over previous decades. Yet new technologies make available methods of assessment not previously considered. In resolving conceptual and pragmatic limitations of existing tools, the Early Years Toolbox (EYT) offers substantial advantages for early assessment of language, EF, self-regulation, and social development. In the current study, results of our large-scale administration of this toolbox to 1,764 preschool and early primary school students indicated very good reliability, convergent validity with existing measures, and developmental sensitivity. Results were also suggestive of better capture of children's emerging abilities relative to comparison measures. Preliminary norms are presented, showing a clear developmental trajectory across half-year age groups. The accessibility of the EYT, as well as its advantages over existing measures, offers considerably enhanced opportunities for objective measurement of young children's abilities to enable research and educational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward Melhuish
- University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- University of Oxford, UK
- Birkbeck, University of London, UK
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15
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Cliff DP, McNeill J, Vella S, Howard SJ, Kelly MA, Angus DJ, Wright IM, Santos R, Batterham M, Melhuish E, Okely AD, de Rosnay M. The Preschool Activity, Technology, Health, Adiposity, Behaviour and Cognition (PATH-ABC) cohort study: rationale and design. BMC Pediatr 2017; 17:95. [PMID: 28376910 PMCID: PMC5379769 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-017-0846-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevalence estimates internationally suggest that many preschool-aged children (3-5 years) are insufficiently physically active and engage in high levels of screen-based entertainment. Early childhood is the developmental period for which we know the least about the effects of physical activity on development and health. Likewise, rapid technological advancements in mobile electronic media have made screen-based forms of entertainment for young children ubiquitous, and research demonstrating the impacts on cognition, psychosocial well-being, and health has lagged behind the rate of adoption of these technologies. The purpose of the Preschool Activity, Technology, Health, Adiposity, Behaviour and Cognition (PATH-ABC) study is to investigate if physical activity and screen-based entertainment are independently associated with cognitive and psychosocial development, and health outcomes in young children, and if so, how much and which types of these behaviours might be most influential. METHODS The PATH-ABC study is a prospective cohort, aiming to recruit 430 3-5 year-old children. Children are recruited through and complete initial assessments at their Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centre, and then 12-months later at their centre or school. Direct assessments are made of children's habitual physical activity using accelerometry, cognitive (executive function) and language development (expressive vocabulary), psychosocial development (emotional understanding, Theory of Mind, empathy, and heart rate variability), adiposity (body mass index and waist circumference), and cardiovascular health (blood pressure and retinal micro- vasculature). Educators report on children's psychological strengths and difficulties and self-regulation. Parents report on children's habitual use of electronic media and other child, parent and household characteristics. DISCUSSION The PATH-ABC study aims to provide evidence to enhance understanding of how much and which types of physical activity and screen-based media influence development and health in preschool-aged children. This information would benefit parents, educators, health professionals and governments seeking to develop strategies and policies to give young children the best start in life by promoting healthy levels of physical activity and electronic media use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan P Cliff
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - Jade McNeill
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Stewart Vella
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Steven J Howard
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Megan A Kelly
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Douglas J Angus
- School of Psychology University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Ian M Wright
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Rute Santos
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marijka Batterham
- Statistical Consulting Centre, School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Anthony D Okely
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Marc de Rosnay
- Early Start Research Institute, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
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16
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Oei JL, Melhuish E, Uebel H, Azzam N, Breen C, Burns L, Hilder L, Bajuk B, Abdel-Latif ME, Ward M, Feller JM, Falconer J, Clews S, Eastwood J, Li A, Wright IM. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and High School Performance. Pediatrics 2017; 139:peds.2016-2651. [PMID: 28093465 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-2651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Little is known of the long-term, including school, outcomes of children diagnosed with Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) (International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Problems [10th Edition], Australian Modification, P96.1). METHODS Linked analysis of health and curriculum-based test data for all children born in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 2000 and 2006. Children with NAS (n = 2234) were compared with a control group matched for gestation, socioeconomic status, and gender (n = 4330, control) and with other NSW children (n = 598 265, population) for results on the National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy, in grades 3, 5, and 7. RESULTS Mean test scores (range 0-1000) for children with NAS were significantly lower in grade 3 (359 vs control: 410 vs population: 421). The deficit was progressive. By grade 7, children with NAS scored lower than other children in grade 5. The risk of not meeting minimum standards was independently associated with NAS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-2.7), indigenous status (aOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 2.2-2.3), male gender (aOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.3-1.4), and low parental education (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6), with all Ps < .001. CONCLUSIONS A neonatal diagnostic code of NAS is strongly associated with poor and deteriorating school performance. Parental education may decrease the risk of failure. Children with NAS and their families must be identified early and provided with support to minimize the consequences of poor educational outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Lee Oei
- School of Women's and Children's Health, .,Department of Newborn Care, Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Research Centre, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Early Start Research Institute and.,Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Lisa Hilder
- National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Mohamed E Abdel-Latif
- Department of Neonatology, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, the Australian National University, Deakin, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Meredith Ward
- School of Women's and Children's Health.,Department of Newborn Care, Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John M Feller
- School of Women's and Children's Health.,Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Janet Falconer
- The Langton Centre, Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sara Clews
- The Langton Centre, Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Eastwood
- School of Women's and Children's Health.,Ingham Research Centre, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.,Community Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Public Health, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; and.,School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Annie Li
- School of Women's and Children's Health
| | - Ian M Wright
- Early Start Research Institute and.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Medicine, The University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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17
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Melhuish E, Howard SJ, Siraj I, Neilsen-Hewett C, Kingston D, de Rosnay M, Duursma E, Luu B. Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) through a professional development programme for early childhood educators to improve professional practice and child outcomes in the year before formal schooling: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials 2016; 17:602. [PMID: 27993164 PMCID: PMC5168859 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-016-1742-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial research base documents the benefits of attendance at high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) for positive behavioural and learning outcomes. Research has also found that the quality of many young children's experiences and opportunities in ECEC depends on the skills, dispositions and understandings of the early childhood adult educators. Increasingly, research has shown that the quality of children's interactions with educators and their peers, more than any other programme feature, influence what children learn and how they feel about learning. Hence, we sought to investigate the extent to which evidence-based professional development (PD) - focussed on promoting sustained shared thinking through quality interactions - could improve the quality of ECEC and, as a consequence, child outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN The Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study is a cluster randomised controlled trial for evaluating the benefits of a professional development (PD) programme for early childhood educators, compared with no extra PD. Ninety long-day care and preschool centres in New South Wales, Australia, will be selected to ensure representation across National Quality Standards (NQS) ratings, location, centre type and socioeconomic areas. Participating centres will be randomly allocated to one of two groups, stratified by centre type and NQS rating: (1) an intervention group (45 centres) receiving a PD intervention or (2) a control group (45 centres) that continues engaging in typical classroom practice. Randomisation to these groups will occur after the collection of baseline environmental quality ratings. Primary outcomes, at the child level, will be two measures of language development: verbal comprehension and expressive vocabulary. Secondary outcomes at the child level will be measures of early numeracy, social development and self-regulation. Secondary outcomes at the ECEC room level will be measures of environmental quality derived from full-day observations. In all cases, data collectors will be blinded to group allocation. DISCUSSION This is the first randomised controlled trial of a new approach to PD, which is focussed on activities previously found to be influential in children's early language, numeracy, social and self-regulatory development. Results should inform practitioners, policy-makers and families of the value of specific professional development for early childhood educators. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN) identifier ACTRN12616000536460 . Registered on 27 April 2016. This trial was retrospectively registered, given the first participant (centre) had been enrolled at the time of registration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Melhuish
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
- Department of Education, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Steven J. Howard
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
| | - Iram Siraj
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
- Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Denise Kingston
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
- Department of Education, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Marc de Rosnay
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
| | - Elisabeth Duursma
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
| | - Betty Luu
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
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Barnes J, Belsky J, Broomfield KA, Melhuish E. Neighbourhood deprivation, school disorder and academic achievement in primary schools in deprived communities in England. International Journal of Behavioral Development 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/0165025406063585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is growing concern about violent behaviour in schools, involving students, staff and/or parents. A survey of 1777 primary schools (for children aged 5 to 11) throughout England, most in areas of social and economic deprivation, found more disorder in neighbourhoods with greater deprivation. More disorder was also observed when there was more school-level disadvantage (e.g. students receiving free meals), larger school size and more children in need of special education services. Despite difficulties in drawing causal inferences from correlational data, the fact that more disorder significantly predicted lower school achievement for students at 7 and 11 in standardized English, mathematics and science assessments even once school characteristics and neighbourhood deprivation were taken into account is judged noteworthy. Potential confounding factors are considered in the discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Edward Melhuish
- Institute for the Study of Children Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK
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19
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Howard SJ, Powell T, Vasseleu E, Johnstone S, Melhuish E. Enhancing Preschoolers’ Executive Functions Through Embedding Cognitive Activities in Shared Book Reading. Educ Psychol Rev 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10648-016-9364-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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20
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Gardiner J, Sutcliffe AG, Melhuish E, Barnes J. Paternal Age, Paternal Presence and Children's Health: An Observational Study. Pediatr Rep 2015; 7:5659. [PMID: 25918623 PMCID: PMC4387328 DOI: 10.4081/pr.2015.5659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In an observational study of 31,257 children we investigated the effects of paternal age at the time of the child's birth, paternal absence and non-biological fathers on children's health. Results are per 5 year change in paternal age. Older fathers were associated with lower rates of unintentional injuries, odds ratio (OR)=0.966, P=0.0027. There was a quadratic association between paternal age and risk of hospital admission, β=0.0121, P=0.0109, with minimum risk at paternal age 37.7. Absent fathers were associated with increased risk of hospital admission, OR=1.19, P<10(-3), lower rates of complete immunizations to 9 months, OR=0.562, P<10(-3), higher Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) difficulties scores: β=0.304, P=0.0024 (3 year olds), β=0.697, P<10(-3) (5 year olds). Non-biological fathers were associated with increased risk of unintentional injury, OR=1.16, P=0.0319 and hospital admission, OR=1.26, P=0.0166; lower rates of complete immunizations to 9 months, OR=0.343, P=0.0309 and higher SDQ difficulties scores: β=0.908, P<10(-3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Gardiner
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck University of London; London, UK
| | | | - Edward Melhuish
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck University of London; London, UK
- University of Oxford; London, UK
| | - Jacqueline Barnes
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck University of London; London, UK
- Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Jaffee SR, McFarquhar T, Stevens S, Ouellet-Morin I, Melhuish E, Belsky J. Interactive effects of early and recent exposure to stressful contexts on cortisol reactivity in middle childhood. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2015; 56:138-46. [PMID: 24986671 PMCID: PMC4338758 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given mixed findings as to whether stressful experiences and relationships are associated with increases or decreases in children's cortisol reactivity, we tested whether a child's developmental history of risk exposure explained variation in cortisol reactivity to an experimentally induced task. We also tested whether the relationship between cortisol reactivity and children's internalizing and externalizing problems varied as a function of their developmental history of stressful experiences and relationships. METHOD Participants included 400 children (M = 9.99 years, SD = 0.74 years) from the Children's Experiences and Development Study. Early risk exposure was measured by children's experiences of harsh, nonresponsive parenting at 3 years. Recent risk exposure was measured by children's exposure to traumatic events in the past year. Children's cortisol reactivity was measured in response to a social provocation task and parents and teachers described children's internalizing and externalizing problems. RESULTS The effect of recent exposure to traumatic events was partially dependent upon a child's early experiences of harsh, nonresponsive parenting: the more traumatic events children had recently experienced, the greater their cortisol reactivity if they had experienced lower (but not higher) levels of harsh, nonresponsive parenting at age 3. The lowest levels of cortisol reactivity were observed among children who had experienced the most traumatic events in the past year and higher (vs. lower) levels of harsh, nonresponsive parenting in early childhood. Among youth who experienced harsh, nonresponsive parent-child relationships in early childhood and later traumatic events, lower levels of cortisol reactivity were associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing problems. CONCLUSIONS Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity to psychological stressors and the relationship between HPA axis reactivity and children's internalizing and externalizing problems vary as a function of a child's developmental history of exposure to stressful relationships and experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Jaffee
- Department of Psychology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA, USA,Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Tara McFarquhar
- Psychology and Language Sciences, University College LondonLondon, UK,Anna Freud CentreLondon, UK
| | - Suzanne Stevens
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of AucklandAuckland, New Zealand
| | - Isabelle Ouellet-Morin
- School of Criminology, Université de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada,Mental Health Institute of Montréal Research CenterMontreal, QC, Canada,Research Group on Child MaladjustmentMontreal, QC, Canada
| | - Edward Melhuish
- The Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of LondonLondon, UK,Department of Education, University of OxfordOxford, UK,Department of Psychology, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jay Belsky
- Department of Human Ecology, University of CaliforniaDavis, CA, USA
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Sutcliffe AG, Melhuish E, Barnes J, Gardiner J. Health and development of children born after assisted reproductive technology and sub-fertility compared to naturally conceived children: data from a national study. Pediatr Rep 2014; 6:5118. [PMID: 24711911 PMCID: PMC3977159 DOI: 10.4081/pr.2014.5118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In a non-matched case-control study using data from two large national cohort studies, we investigated whether indicators of child health and development up to 7 years of age differ between children conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART), children born after sub-fertility (more than 24 months of trying for conception) and other children. Information on ART use/sub-fertility was available for 23,649 children. There were 227 cases (children conceived through ART) and two control groups: 783 children born to sub-fertile couples, and 22,639 children born to couples with no fertility issues. In models adjusted for social and demographic factors there were significant differences between groups in rate of hospital admissions before the children were 9 months old (P=0.029), with the ART group showing higher rates of hospital admission than the no fertility issues control group, the sub-fertile control group being intermediate between the two. Children born after ART had comparable health and development beyond 9 months of age to their naturally conceived peers. This applied to the whole sample and to a sub-sample of children from deprived neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward Melhuish
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck, University of London , London, UK ; University of Oxford , London, UK
| | - Jacqueline Barnes
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck, University of London , London, UK ; Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust , London, UK
| | - Julian Gardiner
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck, University of London , London, UK
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Barnes J, Gardiner J, Sutcliffe A, Melhuish E. The parenting of preschool children by older mothers in the United Kingdom. European Journal of Developmental Psychology 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2013.863728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Abstract
Many children arrive at school with problems of development and behaviour which affect their educational achievement and social interaction and can have lifelong consequences. There is a strong association between developmental vulnerability at school entry and a well-documented series of parent and family risk factors, often linked to social disadvantage. Strategies which are likely to make a difference to these children and improve outcomes include family support, high-quality early education and care programmes in the preschool years, and early detection of emerging problems and risk factors. The evidence suggests that these services and programmes are best delivered within a framework of progressive universalism--a universal basket of services for all children and families, with additional support commensurate with additional needs. This provides the best opportunity for early identification and appropriate intervention for emerging developmental problems and family issues that impact on children's development. While there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed and overcome, such an approach is an important investment that will yield measurable educational, social and economic benefits over the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Oberklaid
- Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children's Hospital, , Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Barnes J, Aistrop D, Allen E, Barlow J, Elbourne D, Macdonald G, Melhuish E, Petrou S, Pink J, Snowdon C, Spiby H, Stuart J, Sturgess J. First steps: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of the Group Family Nurse Partnership (gFNP) program compared to routine care in improving outcomes for high-risk mothers and their children and preventing abuse. Trials 2013; 14:285. [PMID: 24011061 PMCID: PMC3846406 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-14-285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence from the USA suggests that the home-based Family Nurse Partnership program (FNP), extending from early pregnancy until infants are 24 months, can reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect throughout childhood. FNP is now widely available in the UK. A new variant, Group Family Nurse Partnership (gFNP) offers similar content but in a group context and for a shorter time, until infants are 12 months old. Each group comprises 8 to 12 women with similar expected delivery dates and their partners. Its implementation has been established but there is no evidence of its effectiveness. METHODS/DESIGN The study comprises a multi-site randomized controlled trial designed to identify the benefits of gFNP compared to standard care. Participants (not eligible for FNP) must be either aged < 20 years at their last menstrual period (LMP) with one or more previous live births, or aged 20 to 24 at LMP with low educational qualifications and no previous live births. 'Low educational qualifications' is defined as not having both Maths and English Language GCSE at grade C or higher or, if they have both, no more than four in total at grade C or higher. Exclusions are: under 20 years and previously received home-based FNP and, in either age group, severe psychotic mental illness or not able to communicate in English. Consenting women are randomly allocated (minimized by site and maternal age group) when between 10 and 16 weeks pregnant to either to the 44 session gFNP program or to standard care after the collection of baseline information. Researchers are blind to group assignment.The primary outcomes at 12 months are child abuse potential based on the revised Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory and parent/infant interaction coded using the CARE Index based on a video-taped interaction. Secondary outcomes are maternal depression, parenting stress, health related quality of life, social support, and use of services. DISCUSSION This is the first study of the effectiveness of gFNP in the UK. Results should inform decision-making about its delivery alongside universal services, potentially enabling a wider range of families to benefit from the FNP curriculum and approach to supporting parenting. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN78814904.
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Busch V, Van Stel HF, De Leeuw JRJ, Melhuish E, Schrijvers AJP. Multidisciplinary integrated Parent and Child Centres in Amsterdam: a qualitative study. Int J Integr Care 2013; 13:e013. [PMID: 23882163 PMCID: PMC3718270 DOI: 10.5334/ijic.887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Revised: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In several countries centres for the integrated delivery of services to the parent and child have been established. In the Netherlands family health care service centres, called Parent and Child Centres (PCCs) involve multidisciplinary teams. Here doctors, nurses, midwives, maternity help professionals and educationists are integrated into multidisciplinary teams in neighbourhood-based centres. To date there has been little research on the implementation of service delivery in these centres. STUDY DESIGN A SWOT analysis was performed by use of triangulation data; this took place by integrating all relevant published documents on the origin and organization of the PCCs and the results from interviews with PCC experts and with PCC professionals (n=91). Structured interviews were performed with PCC-professionals [health care professionals (n=67) and PCC managers n=12)] and PCC-experts (n=12) in Amsterdam and qualitatively analysed thematically. The interview themes were based on a pre-set list of codes, derived from a prior documentation study and a focus group with PCC experts. RESULTS Perceived advantages of PCCs were more continuity of care, shorter communication lines, low-threshold contact between professionals and promising future perspectives. Perceived challenges included the absence of uniform multidisciplinary guidelines, delays in communication with hospitals and midwives, inappropriate accommodation for effective professional integration, differing expectations regarding the PCC-manager role among PCC-partners and the danger of professionals' needs dominating clients' needs. CONCLUSIONS Professionals perceive PCCs as a promising development in the integration of services. Remaining challenges involved improvements at the managerial and organizational level. Quantitative research into the improvements in quality of care and child health is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Busch
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between maternal prepregnancy BMI and cognitive performance in children at 5 and 7 years of age. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a prospective population based cohort of 19,517 children in the United Kingdom. Standardized cognitive assessments of children, involving components of the British Ability Scales, second edition and a number skills test, were performed at 5 and 7 years of age. Principal components analysis was used to identify a general cognitive ability factor (g) from individual test scores. Maternal prepregnancy BMI was retrospectively self-reported when children were 9 months old. Mixed-effects linear regression models were fitted, controlling for multiple socio-demographic factors, child's birth weight, child's BMI, maternal smoking, and maternal diabetes. Complete data were available for 11,025 children at 5 years, and 9882 children at 7 years. RESULTS Maternal prepregnancy BMI was negatively associated with children's cognitive performance (g) at age 5 (P = .0069) and age 7 (P < .0001). The overall effect size was modest: a 10-point increase in maternal BMI was associated with a decrease in cognitive performance of ~1/10th of an SD at age 7. CONCLUSIONS Maternal prepregnancy BMI is negatively associated with children's cognitive performance, even after adjusting for multiple socio-demographic confounders and children's BMI. The relationship appears to become stronger as children get older, although the overall effect size is modest. In utero fetal programming or residual confounding may explain these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Basatemur
- General and Adolescent Paediatrics Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Sutcliffe AG, Barnes J, Belsky J, Gardiner J, Melhuish E. The health and development of children born to older mothers in the United Kingdom: observational study using longitudinal cohort data. BMJ 2012; 345:e5116. [PMID: 22915663 PMCID: PMC3424227 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.e5116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess relations between children's health and development and maternal age. DESIGN Observational study of longitudinal cohorts. SETTING Millennium Cohort Study (a random sample of UK children) and the National Evaluation of Sure Start study (a random sample of children in deprived areas in England), 2001 to 2007. PARTICIPANTS 31,257 children at age 9 months, 24,781 children at age 3 years, and 22,504 at age 5 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Childhood unintentional injuries and hospital admissions (aged 9 months, 3 years, and 5 years), immunisations (aged 9 months and 3 years), body mass index, language development, and difficulties with social development (aged 3 and 5 years). RESULTS Associations were independent of personal and family characteristics and parity. The risk of children having unintentional injuries requiring medical attention or being admitted to hospital both declined with increasing maternal age. For example, at three years the risk of unintentional injuries declined from 36.6% for mothers aged 20 to 28.6% for mothers aged 40 and hospital admissions declined, respectively, from 27.1% to 21.6%. Immunisation rates at nine months increased with maternal age from 94.6% for mothers aged 20 to 98.1% for mothers aged 40. At three years, immunisation rates reached a maximum, at 81.3% for mothers aged 27, being lower for younger and older mothers. This was linked to rates for the combined measles, mumps, and rubella immunisation because excluding these resulted in no significant relation with maternal age. An increase in overweight children at ages 3 and 5 years associated with increasing maternal age was eliminated once maternal body mass index was included as a covariate. Language development was associated with improvements with increasing maternal age, with scores for children of mothers aged 20 being lower than those of children of mothers aged 40 by 0.21 to 0.22 standard deviations at ages 3 and 4 years. There were fewer social and emotional difficulties associated with increasing maternal age. Children of teenage mothers had more difficulties than children of mothers aged 40 (difference 0.28 SD at age 3 and 0.16 SD at age 5). CONCLUSION Increasing maternal age was associated with improved health and development for children up to 5 years of age.
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Daglar M, Melhuish E, Barnes J. Parenting and preschool child behaviour among Turkish immigrant, migrant and non-migrant families. European Journal of Developmental Psychology 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/17405621003710827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Hall JE, Sammons P, Sylva K, Melhuish E, Taggart B, Siraj-Blatchford I, Smees R. Measuring the combined risk to young children's cognitive development: An alternative to cumulative indices. br j devel psychol 2010; 28:219-38. [DOI: 10.1348/026151008x399925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- E Melhuish
- Institute for Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck, University of London, 7 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3RA, UK.
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Belsky J, Leyland A, Barnes J, Melhuish E. Sure start in England. Lancet 2009; 373:381. [PMID: 19186271 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60132-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Melhuish E, Belsky J, Leyland AH, Barnes J. Effects of fully-established Sure Start Local Programmes on 3-year-old children and their families living in England: a quasi-experimental observational study. Lancet 2008; 372:1641-7. [PMID: 18994661 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(08)61687-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs) are area-based interventions to improve services for young children and their families in deprived communities, promote health and development, and reduce inequalities. We therefore investigated whether SSLPs affect the wellbeing of 3-year-old children and their families. METHODS In a quasi-experimental observational study, we compared 5883 3-year-old children and their families from 93 disadvantaged SSLP areas with 1879 3-year-old children and their families from 72 similarly deprived areas in England who took part in the Millennium Cohort Study. We studied 14 outcomes-children's immunisations, accidents, language development, positive and negative social behaviours, and independence; parenting risk; home-learning environment; father's involvement; maternal smoking, body-mass index, and life satisfaction; family's service use; and mother's rating of area. FINDINGS After we controlled for background factors, we noted beneficial effects associated with the programmes for five of 14 outcomes. Children in the SSLP areas showed better social development than those in the non-SSLP areas, with more positive social behaviour (mean difference 0.45, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.80, p=0.01) and greater independence (0.32, 0.18 to 0.47, p<0.0001). Families in SSLP areas showed less negative parenting (-0.90, -1.11 to -0.69, p<0.0001) and provided a better home-learning environment (1.30, 0.75 to 1.86, p<0.0001). These families used more services for supporting child and family development than those not living in SSLP areas (0.98, 0.86 to 1.09, p<0.0001). Effects of SSLPs seemed to apply to all subpopulations and SSLP areas. INTERPRETATION Children and their families benefited from living in SSLP areas. The contrast between these and previous findings on the effect of SSLPs might indicate increased exposure to programmes that have become more effective. Early interventions can improve the life chances of young children living in deprived areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Melhuish
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck University of London, London, UK
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Melhuish E, Belsky J, Anning A, Ball M, Barnes J, Romaniuk H, Leyland A. Variation in community intervention programmes and consequences for children and families: the example of Sure Start Local Programmes. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2007; 48:543-51. [PMID: 17537070 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01705.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An area-based initiative, Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs), was established by the UK government to reduce social exclusion through improving the well-being of children aged 0-3 years and their families in disadvantaged communities; a true community intervention in that all children under four and their families in specified areas served as targets of universal services. A national evaluation examined the links between variation in programme implementation and effectiveness. METHODS Data gathered from multiple sources produced measures of implementation in terms of proficiency, services and staffing. Measures of programme impact on child/parenting outcomes derived from multilevel models, controlling for child, family and area characteristics, were identified to demonstrate programme effectiveness. RESULTS Some modest linkage between programme implementation (e.g., proficiency, empowerment of parents and staff, identification of users) and effectiveness for child and parenting outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Overall proficiency and specific aspects of implementation may influence effectiveness, which should guide the design of other child, family and community services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Melhuish
- Institute for the Study of Children Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck, University of London, UK.
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Belsky J, Melhuish E, Barnes J, Leyland AH, Romaniuk H. Effects of Sure Start local programmes on children and families: early findings from a quasi-experimental, cross sectional study. BMJ 2006; 332:1476. [PMID: 16782721 PMCID: PMC1482335 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.38853.451748.2f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of Sure Start local programmes (SSLPs) on children and their families. To assess whether variations in the effectiveness of SSLPs are due to differences in implementation. DESIGN Quasi-experimental cross sectional study using interviews with mothers and cognitive assessment of children aged 36 months who speak English. SETTING Socially deprived communities in England: 150 communities with ongoing SSLPs and 50 comparison communities. PARTICIPANTS Mothers of 12,575 children aged 9 months and 3927 children aged 36 months in SSLP areas; mothers of 1509 children aged 9 months and 1101 children aged 36 months in comparison communities. OUTCOME MEASURES Mothers' reports of community services and local area, family functioning and parenting skills, child health and development, and verbal ability at 36 months. RESULTS Differences between SSLP areas and comparison areas were limited, small, and varied by degree of social deprivation. SSLPs had beneficial effects on non-teenage mothers (better parenting, better social functioning in children) and adverse effects on children of teenage mothers (poorer social functioning) and children of single parents or parents who did not work (lower verbal ability). SSLPs led by health services were slightly more effective than other SSLPs. CONCLUSION SSLPs seem to benefit relatively less socially deprived parents (who have greater personal resources) and their children but seem to have an adverse effect on the most disadvantaged children. Programmes led by health services seem to be more effective than programmes led by other agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Belsky
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1B 3RA.
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Barnes J, Belsky J, Broomfield KA, Dave S, Frost M, Melhuish E. Disadvantaged but different: variation among deprived communities in relation to child and family well-being. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2005; 46:952-62. [PMID: 16108998 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00392.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disadvantaged communities are increasingly the target for interventions. Sure Start was launched in England in 1999 to tackle child poverty and improve child and family services, with Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs) targeted at relatively small areas of marked deprivation. However, they are located in a range of different types of communities where they may provide services to very different resident populations. They are all disadvantaged but underlying that label there are specific patterns of variability, relevant for service provision. To evaluate the implementation, impact, and cost-effectiveness of SSLPs, or other area-based initiatives, it is important to consider ways in which they can be grouped meaningfully according to these patterns. METHOD Data were collected from administrative databases to describe SSLPs in terms of demography, deprivation, and aspects of child and family functioning and grouped using cluster analysis. RESULTS Five different 'types' of SSLP community were identified, based on their socio-demographic and economic characteristics; typified by more, less or average deprivation in relation to all SSLPs, and in terms of the proportion of ethnic minority families resident in the areas. The groups differ in terms of community measures of child health, educational attainment, school disorder and child welfare and their prediction from demographic community characteristics. CONCLUSIONS The groupings have implications for service delivery and the evaluation of area-based initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Barnes
- Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck, University of London, UK.
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Abstract
This article considers the results of an opinion survey of nurses working in Gwynedd, North Wales. Present changes to the structure and function of the NHS are heightening concerns and eroding the strengths of the profession. Action is needed if nursing's move towards enhanced professional status is to be maintained.
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Abstract
The extent to which nurses feel that their contribution is recognized and that they are involved in important decisions varies according to grade and location. Clinical nurses generally feel that they exert little influence over doctors, general management or their own nurse managers.
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Abstract
Debate on the costs and benefits of continuing professional education for nurses has intensified following the PREPP proposals. Evidence suggests that nurses who consider that their educational needs are being fully met have higher morale and work more efficiently than those who do not.
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