Maternal support for infant learning: Findings from a randomized controlled trial of doula home visiting services for young mothers

This randomized controlled trial examined the impact of a doula home visiting intervention on maternal stimulation and support for learning during infancy. In this intervention, evidence-based home visiting programs incorporate community doulas, who provide support and education to mothers around pregnancy, childbirth, and fetal and infant development. In this study, 312 young, low income mothers from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and from four geographic locations were interviewed during pregnancy and then randomized to receive either doula home visiting services or low intensity case management services. At 3 weeks, 3 months, and 13 months postpartum, mothers were again interviewed and were video-recorded while interacting with their infants. Results showed that mothers assigned to the intervention were more likely to read to their infants and engage them in activities that foster cognitive development during early infancy. Additionally, moderation analyses revealed that mothers of boys and mothers with high levels of social support experienced additional benefits of the program. These findings add to a growing literature that community doulas, working in family homes, can positively affect the parenting behavior of low-income mothers.