A qualitative exploration of caregivers’ experiences with the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) parenting program

Abstract

In the face of childhood adversity, services and interventions can improve a child's life trajectory by promoting healthy development, enhancing protective factors, and building resilience through stable and supportive relationships. One such service, a specific and highly researched home visiting intervention, Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), is often provided to families through home visiting service programs. This qualitative descriptive study examines the experiences of caregivers (N = 18) who received ABC as part of a statewide early childhood initiative in one midwestern state. Participants provided insight into the context of their lives before and during the intervention. They described their perspectives of the utility of the program and its influence on their family's behaviors and interactions. Findings demonstrate that coaching support bolstered caregivers’ confidence in effective strategies and guided them through caregiving challenges. Caregivers observed growth in their caregiving practices, their infants’ and young children's social and emotional skills, and their dyadic caregiver-child relationships, demonstrating the benefits of participating in and completing the ABC intervention.