Controlled Study of Child Health Supervision: Behavioral Results

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Abstract
Extensive child health supervision, with emphasis on counseling and anticipatory guidance, was provided for the first 3 yr of life to an experimental series of 47 normal 1st-born black infants from low-income families living in the environs of Children''s Hospital in Washington, D.C. [USA]. The mothers were unmarried schoolgirls in normal physical and mental health. A control series consisted of 48 similar mother-child dyads from the same area. Data were collected, in part by an outside evaluator, at yearly intervals on experimental and control series in a form suitable for coding on computer cards. Comparison of differences in behavioral results between the 2 series showed significant findings in favor of the experimental children, as well as numerous favorable trends during the first 6 yr of life. Positive effects became evident in diet and eating habits, in some developmental problems of growing up (such as toilet training) and in certain abstract qualities including self-confidence. Significant differences were also noted between the experimental and control mothers for various child rearing practices and personality characteristics. No significant difference or trend favored the control series. A causal relationship probably existed between the intervention and at least some of the significant findings.

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