ERIC Number: EJ1156301
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0896-3746
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Enhancing Infant Mental Health Using a Capacity-Building Model: A Case Study of a Process Evaluation of the "Ready, Steady, Grow" Initiative
O'Farrelly, Christine; Guerin, Suzanne; Victory, Gerard
Infants and Young Children, v30 n4 p269-287 Oct-Dec 2017
Infant mental health (IMH) is best promoted through a continuum of services underpinned by strong service capacity. However, service providers often lack fundamental IMH knowledge and skills. Using the Ready, Steady, Grow (RSG) initiative as a case study of a capacity-building model (P., Hawe, L., King, M., Noort, C., Jordens, & B., Llyod, 2000), this article contributes to the field by investigating the facilitators and challenges to IMH promotion in a disadvantaged community in Ireland. A mixed-methods study assessed the degree to which RSG has developed the local service community capacity. Data included semistructured interviews (n = 23) and a survey with service stakeholders from nursing, speech and language, early childhood care and education, social work, family support, physiotherapy, and youth work (n = 40). The findings indicated that RSG has enhanced IMH capacity among service stakeholders by establishing a strong groundwork and enthusiasm for IMH, in addition to building preliminary IMH skills, although scope remains for further engagement and training. Ongoing barriers to capacity building include a dearth of resources and concern about sustainability. This case study offers theoretical and practical insights to those interested in promoting child health using a capacity-building model.
Descriptors: Mental Health, Capacity Building, Infants, Case Studies, Disadvantaged, Models, Nursing, Semi Structured Interviews, Surveys, Child Care, Early Childhood Education, Mixed Methods Research, Foreign Countries, Barriers, Child Health, Health Services
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Available from: Wolters Kluwer. 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Tel: 800-638-3030; e-mail: MR-WKCustomerSupport@wolterskluwer.com; Web site: http://www.lww.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A