The purpose of this paper is to review intervention research to determine the types of family support that are reported and evaluated in early childhood. This review includes 26 articles evaluating (a) parent training programs; (b) general family-centered practice models which offer comprehensive supports; (c) peer support; (d) two-generation programs; and (e) respite care. In the article, we focus our discussion on: (a) the definitions or description of family support, (b) the family variables or impacts evaluated and their findings, and (c) the link between support and impacts to both the ECO outcomes and the family quality of life domains. This review indicates a need for specific and consistent terminology in defining family support in the early intervention field. Further, a family support framework to guide future research to investigate both long-term and short-term outcomes for families is warranted.
AinbinderJ. G.BlanchardL. W.SingerG. H SSullivanM. E.PowersL. K.MarquisJ. G.A qualitative study of Parent to Parent support for parents of children with special needsJournal of Pediatric Psychology2399–1091998
3.
AllenR. I.PetrC. G.SingerG.PowersL.Toward developing standards and measurements for family-centered practice in family support programsRedefining family supports: Innovations in public-private partnershipsBrookesBaltimore, MD57–851996st ed.
BaileyD. B.BruderM. B.HebbelerK.CartaJ.DefossetM.GreenwoodC.Recommended outcomes for families of young children with disabilitiesJournal of Early Intervention28227–2512006
6.
BaileyD. B.McwilliamR. A.DarkesL. A.HebbelerK.SimeonssonR. J.SpikerD.Family outcomes in early intervention: A framework for program evaluation and efficacy researchExceptional Children64313–3281998
7.
Bakermans-KranenburgM. J.Van IjzendoornM. H.BradleyR. H.Those who have, receive: The Matthew effect in early childhood intervention in the home environmentReview of Educational Research7511–262005
8.
ChanJ. B.SigafoosJ.Does respite care reduce parental stress in families with developmentally disabled children?Child & Youth Care Forum30253–2632001
9.
CowenP. S.ReedD. A.Effects of respite care for children with developmental disabilities: Evaluation of an intervention for at-risk familiesPublic Health Nursing19272–2832002
10.
DanaherJ.ArmijoC.National Early Childhood Technical Assistance CenterNational early childhood TA centerPart C updates NoChapel Hill, NC2005
11.
DunstC. J.BruderM. B.TrivetteC. M.Characteristics and consequences of everyday natural learning opportunitiesTopics in Early Childhood Special Education2168–922001
12.
EpleyP.Trends in family-centered concepts and literature2006Unpublished manuscript
13.
Erickson-WarfieldM. E.Hauser-CramP.KraussM. W.ShonkoffJ. P.UpshurC. C.The effect of early intervention services on maternal well-beingEarly Education & Development11499–5172000
14.
FaganJ.StevensonH. C.An experimental study of an empowerment-based intervention for African American head start fathersFamily Relations51191–1982002
15.
GombyD. S.CulrossP. L.BehrmanR. E.Home visiting: Recent program evaluations-analysis and recommendationsThe Future of Children911999
16.
HendriksA. H CDe MoorJ. M HOudJ. H LSavelbergM. M H WPerceived changes in well-being of parents with a child in a therapeutic toddler classResearch in Developmental Disabilities21455–4682000
17.
HermanS. E.MarcenkoM. O.Perceptions of services and resources as mediators of depression among parents of children with developmental disabilitiesMental Retardation35458–4671997
18.
HoffmanL.MarquisJ. G.PostonD. J.SummersJ. A STurnbullA. P.Assessing family outcomes: Psychometric evaluation of the Family Quality of Life ScaleJournal of Marriage and Family681069–10832006
19.
IreysH. T.SillsE. M.KolodnerK. B.WalshB. B.Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1432A social support intervention for parents of children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a randomized trialJournal of Pediatric PsychologyIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C21633–6411996
20.
KimJ. M.MahoneyG.The effects of relationship focused intervention on Korean parents and their young children with disabilitiesResearch in Developmental Disabilities26117–1302003
21.
KucukerS.The family-focused early intervention programme: Evaluation of parental stress and depressionEarly Child Development and Care176329–3412006
22.
LoveJ. M.KiskerE. E.RossC. M.SchochetP. Z.Brooks-GunnJ.PaulsellD.Making a difference in the lives of infants and toddlers and their families: The impact of early head startno.Child Outcomes Research and EvaluationOffice of Planning, Research and Families; Administration for Children and Families; U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesWashington, D.C.I2002Technical Report
23.
MahoneyG.BellaJ. M.An examination of the effects of family-centered early intervention on child and family outcomesTopics in Early Childhood Special Education18283–941998
24.
MahoneyG.KaiserA.GirolamettoL.Mac-DonaldJ.RobinsonC.SaffordP.Parent education in early intervention: A call for a renewed focusTopics in Early Childhood Special Education19131–1401999
25.
MahoneyG.PeralesF.Relationshipfocused early intervention with children with pervasive developmental disorders and other disabilities: A comparative studyJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics26277–892005
26.
MahoneyG.PeralesF.Using relationshipfocused intervention to enhance social-emotional functioning in young children with autism spectrum disordersTopics in Early Childhood2377–902003
27.
MannanH.SummersJ. A.TurnbullA. P.PostonD. J.Family outcomes in early childhood programs: A review of outcome measuresJournal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities3219–2282006
28.
NiccolsA.MohamedS.Parent training in groups: Pilot study with parents of infants with development delaysJournal of Early Intervention23133–1432000
29.
ParkJ.HoffmanL.MarquisJ.TurnbullA. P.PostonD.Toward assessing family outcomes of service delivery: Validation of a family quality of life surveyJournal of Intellectual Disability Research47367–3842003
30.
PostonD.TurnbullA. P.ParkJ.MannanH.MarquisJ.WangM.Family quality of Impacts of Family Support / 469 life: A qualitative inquiryMental Retardation41313–3282003
31.
RobertsC.MazzucchelliT.TaylorK.ReidR.Early intervention for behavior problems in young children with developmental disabilitiesInternational Journal of Disability, Development, and Education502003
32.
RosenbergS. A.RobinsonC.FryerG. E.Evaluation of paraprofessional home visiting services for children with special needs and their familiesTopics in Early Childhood Special Education22158–1682002
33.
SandallS.HemmeterM. L.SmithB. J.McleanM. E.DEC recommended practices: A comprehensive guide for practical application in early intervention/early childhood special educationSopris WestLongmont, CO2005
34.
SingerG. H SMarquisJ.PowersL. K.BlanchardL.DivenereN.SantelliB.A multi-site evaluation of parent to parent programs for parents of children with disabilitiesJournal of Early Intervention22217–2291999
35.
St PierreR. G.LayzerJ. I.BarnesH. V.Two-generation programs: Design, cost and shortterm effectivenessThe Future of Children5376–931995
36.
SummersJ. A.PostonD. J.TurnbullA. P.MarquisJ.HoffmanL.MannanH.Conceptualizing and measuring family quality of lifeJournal of International Disability Research49777–7832005
37.
TrivetteC. M.DunstC. J.BoydK.HambyD. W.Family-oriented program models, helpgiving practices, and parental control appraisalsExceptional Children62237–2491995
38.
TurnbullA. P.TurbivilleV.TurnbullH. R.ShonkoffJ. P.MeiselsS. L.Evolution of family-professional partnership model models: Collective empowerment as the model for the early 21st centuryThe handbook of early interventionCambridge University PressNew York630–6502000nd ed.
39.
WagnerM.SpikerD.Multisite parents as teachers evaluation: Experience and outcomes for children and familiesNo. SRI Project POSRI InternationalMenlo Park, California7283 June 2001. 2001
40.
WatkinsS.PittmanP.WaldenB.The deaf mentor experimental project for young children who are deaf and their familiesAmerican Annals of the Deaf143129–341998
41.
ZeeceP. D.WangA.Effects of the family empowerment and transitioning program on child and family outcomesChild Study Journal28161–1781998
