Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026
Effects of a Novel Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Jump, Sprint, and Change of Direction in Adult Female Soccer Players
Published on: June 10, 2025
A Research Program Testing the Effectiveness of a Preventive Intervention for Couples with a Newborn
Richard E Heyman1, Katherine J W Baucom2, Amy M Smith Slep1
1Family Translational Research Group, New York University, New York, NY.
Insights
The Couple CARE for Parents of Newborns program showed limited preventive effects for at-risk families. Challenges in participant recruitment and engagement impacted the study outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Noxious family environments negatively impact child development.
- Preventive programs for couples with newborns aim to mitigate these risks.
- Couple CARE for Parents of Newborns (CCP) is a program designed for new parents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the American version of Couple CARE for Parents of Newborns (CCP).
- To assess the program's effectiveness in preventing couple and parent-child relationship problems.
- To identify challenges and provide recommendations for service delivery to at-risk new parents.
Main Methods:
- A series of studies (uncontrolled demonstration, randomized controlled trial) were conducted.
- The program was administered to low-income, unmarried couples with newborns.
- Participants were recruited from urban hospitals in major US metropolitan areas.
Main Results:
- Participants reported satisfaction with the CCP program.
- The program demonstrated limited preventive effects.
- One potential iatrogenic effect was observed.
- Significant challenges were encountered in participant recruitment and engagement.
Conclusions:
- Despite participant satisfaction, the preventive effects of CCP were limited.
- Recruitment and engagement challenges significantly impacted study results.
- Methodological adjustments and improved service delivery are recommended for at-risk new parents.
- Findings have implications for public policy concerning child and family well-being.
Abstract:
Noxious family environments are associated with a wide range of adverse child outcomes. In order to prevent couple and parent-child relationship problems, a number of programs have been developed for couples with newborns. The current paper describes a program of research evaluating the American version of couple CARE for parents of newborns. This version of CCP was administered to low-income, unmarried couples with a new baby in an uncontrolled demonstration project (Study 1), compared with a waitlist control condition in a randomized controlled trial (Study 2), and evaluated with low-income parents recruited from urban hospitals in two major metropolitan areas of the United States (Study 3 and Study 4). Despite participant satisfaction with CCP, preventive effects of the program were limited and there was one potential iatrogenic effect. Results were likely impacted by major challenges with recruiting participants and maintaining their engagement in CCP for the duration of the program. We discuss methodological differences between this series of studies and previous trials of prevention programs and make recommendations for improving service delivery to at-risk new parents. These results have implications for public policies that aim to benefit children and families.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Nursing Interventions I: Taxonomy of Nursing Interventions
A nursing intervention is a treatment or action based on scientific concepts and knowledge from the nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences. Identifying and prioritizing nursing interventions based on the desired outcome...
01:29Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...
01:30Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:20Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
01:22Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the involved orbitals. The...