Investigating child- and family-level effects of a postpartum home visiting intervention on the risk of child maltreatment

It is estimated that about 38% of children experience abuse and/or neglect, with the highest rates of maltreatment reported during early childhood. Experiences of child abuse and neglect are linked to poor developmental, behavioral, and health outcomes throughout the life course. This pilot study will investigate whether random assignment to a population-level postpartum home visiting intervention (Family Connects) can reduce the risk of child maltreatment, not only for the target infant but also for all children within the family; and whether this effect is moderated by family characteristics such as family structure. By fulfilling these research aims, this pilot will provide important new information about how early exposure to a public health intervention can affect children’s well-being directly and indirectly as well as in interaction with social factors.