An integrative review of family supports as components of early childhood home visiting models

Objective

We conducted an integrative review to identify family support categories that have been described as components of early childhood home visiting models in empirical research and to distinguish whether supports were formal or informal.

Background

Key components of most early childhood home visiting models include family supports intended to promote child and family outcomes. Categories of family support have been described in other extant literature: (a) material, (b) informational, (c) social–emotional, and (d) organizational. Family support has been further categorized as formal or informal. In this literature, informal supports have been characterized as more enduring and meaningful than formal ones.

Method

A systematic literature search was conducted. A total of 244 studies representing 127 early childhood home visiting models were located and coded.

Results

Formal informational supports were the most frequently reported family support category. Informal supports were reported much less frequently than formal supports.

Conclusion

Given the enduring impacts of informal family supports, home visiting models should include both informal and formal supports. Empirical studies should include descriptions of the types of family supports in home visiting models and more explicitly hypothesize linkages to intended outcomes.

Implications

Future work should include refining the definitions of support categories, distinguishing informal and formal supports, exploring interactions among supports, and understanding the functions of supports from the perspectives of families and home visitors.