Help Me Grow Utah and the impact on family protective factors development
| Published date | 19 March 2018 |
| Date | 19 March 2018 |
| Pages | 33-43 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-05-2017-0016 |
| Author | Karen D. Hill,Brian J. Hill |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Children's services,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Children/youth,Parents,Education,Early childhood education,Home culture,Social/physical development |
Help Me Grow Utah and the impact on
family protective factors development
Karen D. Hill and Brian J. Hill
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of family protective factors in
participants of Help Me Grow Utah (HMGU), a community-based system that promotes child development,
seeks early detection of developmental delays, and links families to services.
Design/methodology/approach –In this paper, standard quasi-experimental survey design was utilized.
HMGU and control group participants completed the FRIENDS Protective Factors Survey, which was slightly
modified into a retrospective pre-test and post-test format to address previous survey concerns of
response-shift bias, self-serving assessments, and family maturation. Participants were asked to respond to
ten questions at present and then again from the perspective of two years previous.
Findings –Participants in HMGU had statistically significant increases in protective factor scores in all but
one subscale, with dramatic increases in two subscale questions on knowledge of parenting and child
development. Control group scores statistically increased in four subscales, albeit at lower rates than HMGU
participants. Interestingly, control group scores on two subscale questions relating to child maltreatment risk
were significantly lower on post-tests as compared to their retrospective pre-test scores.
Research limitations/implications –Participants in HMGU clearly increased in the development of
protective factors. Replication of this study is recommended and the need for a control group in protective
factor studies is imperative.
Practical implications –Findings from this study suggest that child services focused on enhancing
knowledge of parenting and child development might also expect to improve protective factors. One-on-one
care coordination with families seems particularly effective. The findings might also benefit other social
programs as they utilize retrospective pre-test, post-test, and control groups in their evaluations.
Originality/value –HMGU is the first affiliate to utilize retrospective pre-test/post-test methodology, which
can overcome confounding results attributable to response-shiftbias. Also, the use of a control group affords
inclusion of natural maturation in considering findings.
Keywords Child maltreatment, FRIENDS National Center for Community-based Child Abuse Prevention,
Help Me Grow, Protective factors, Response-shift bias, Retrospective pre-test
Paper type Research paper
Background
Scientific research provides much evidence that the foundation for an individual’s intellectual,
emotional, social, and moral development is primarily developed during early childhood
(Brazelton and Greenspan, 2000; National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2010;
Shonkoff, 2009; Thompson, 2001). Optimal child development is more likely to occur in resilient
families (Patterson, 2002a, b; Walsh, 2015) that exhibit conditions or attributes that mitigate or
eliminate risk, termed “protective factors.”Social scientists observe that when protective factors
are present and robust in a family, the occurrence of child abuse and neglect are likely reduced
(Brown et al., 1998), family resilience is strong (Benzies and Mychasiuk, 2009), and optimal child
development is likely to occur (Weissberg et al., 2003). Parents who exhibit resilience, have a
network of support, and have a working knowledge of parenting and child development offer
their child the best opportunity for optimal development and the best chance to avoid
maltreatment (Horton, 2003). In contrast, development can be negatively impacted when
caregivers fail to provide a healthy home environment or expose a child to adverse experiences
Received 1 May 2017
Revised 11 October 2017
16 October 2017
Accepted 26 October 2017
Karen D. Hill is CEO at
Greater Ventures LLC, Orem,
Utah, USA.
Brian J. Hill is Professor at the
Department of Experience
Design and Management,
Brigham Young University,
Provo, Utah, USA.
DOI 10.1108/JCS-05-2017-0016 VOL. 13 NO. 1 2018, pp. 33-43, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-6660
j
JOURNAL OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES
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PAG E 33
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