Core components of effective home visiting and parenting programs delivered by nurses or midwives

Abstract Background Childhood, a crucial stage for healthy development, growth, and well-being, can be supported through home-visiting and parenting programs. Since nurses working with children and families are essential in promoting children's mental health and early identification of symptoms, it is vital to understand the core components of the programs they deliver. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate research evidence from evaluated home-visiting and parenting interventions delivered by nurses or midwives. The objective was to identify the core components frequently shared by effective interventions. Methods This scoping review, conducted in the fall of 2024, examined academic and grey literature databases alongside global and national sources. The focus was on nurse- or midwife-delivered interventions that positively impacted children's or parents’ mental health, social and emotional development, responsive caregiving, parent-child communication, or parenting skills in high-income countries. A descriptive analytical method was used to extract information. Data were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach. Results The review included 26 studies (home-visiting interventions n = 22; parenting interventions n = 4). Six main core components emerged from the content of the interventions: (1) parenting education, (2) maternal and infant health, (3) mental health and psychosocial support, (4) community connections and resources, (5) guided frameworks, and (6) cultural and contextual sensitivity Discussion The review underscores the importance of holistic approaches that integrate mental health support, community resources, and cultural sensitivity. Successful interventions require a comprehensive understanding of families’ diverse needs and the ability to adapt programs accordingly. Future research should focus on refining these components to enhance program effectiveness. Key messages • Nurses and midwives enhance children's mental health and development through comprehensive home-visiting and parenting programs. • Effective interventions integrate parenting education, maternal and infant health, mental health support, community resources, guided frameworks, and cultural and contextual sensitivity.