Sydney L. Hans Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, 969 E. 60th Street Chicago, IL 60637 s-hans@uchicago.edu
Abstract
The purpose of the proposed project is to evaluate an intervention for young, low-income mothers and their infants. The Chicago Doula Project uses paraprofessional doulas to provide guidance and support to mothers during the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods in order to promote good obstetrical outcomes, breastfeeding, responsive parenting, parenting efficacy, maternal well-being, and child health and development. Although previous research exists demonstrating the immediate benefit of time-limited doula support for intrapartum outcomes, this study will extend knowledge by 1) examining a model of doula intervention that expands into the prenatal and postnatal periods; 2) following families longitudinally to examine long-term benefits of doula support on mothers and infants; and 3) elucidating biological mechanisms, as well as personal, programmatic, and contextual factors, through which doula support has an effect on mother and child. In the proposed study, 248 mothers under the age of 21 who are receiving prenatal care at clinics associated with a major urban medical center will be randomly assigned to receive either doula support or regular clinic services for young mothers. A variety of sources of research data will be used, including interviews with mothers, information abstracted from medical records, saliva samples, psychological tests, and videotaped observations of mothers and children. Assessment will be made of short-term outcomes immediately following delivery, and long-term outcomes at the end of the intervention (4 months) and when infants are 12 and 24 months of age. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected on aspects of program implementation and utilization.
Publications
Listed is descending order by year published.
Hans S & Korfmacher J. (2002). The professional development of paraprofessionals. Zero to Three, 23 (2), 4-8.
Behnke EF, Hans SL. (2002). Becoming a doula. Zero to Three, 23(2), 9-13.
