Exploring the Probabilities of Transition Between Levels of Family Functioning: An Examination into the Attachment Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention

Abstract

Early childhood adversity presents risks for enduring negative impacts on both health and development. Prior research has underscored the potential of early interventions to serve as a protective buffer, mitigating the detrimental effects of adversity on children. This study extends this research by investigating the impact of an early intervention, Attachment Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), on family functioning. Using latent transition analysis, this study’s findings indicate that families initially categorized as having lower functioning demonstrated a heightened likelihood of transitioning to a higher functioning profile on program completion, implying potential trajectories toward enhanced family functioning following participation in ABC. Although exploratory, these results suggest that ABC may provide supplementary protective effects that extend beyond enhancements in caregiver skills or improved child well-being.