Research supporting nurse–family partnership

This report of positive impacts on mental health and academic achievement of children at age 12 is the most recent publication from a highly significant programme of maternal-child health research. The intervention focused on improving pregnancy outcomes, child health and development and economic self-reliance through semistructured nurse home visits to socioeconomically disadvantaged first-time mothers from mid-pregnancy through 2 years after birth. Randomised trials in three US cities had similar positive short- and long-term impacts for mothers and children, with stronger positive impacts for the most disadvantaged group. Based on ecological theory, attachment theory and self-efficacy, these positive results strongly support these …