Needs and wishes about enhancing support for vulnerable young mothers after a child maltreatment prevention program in a qualitative interview study among former clients and nurses

The adverse impact of child maltreatment on the abused child, family and society, along with intergenerational transmission, suggests the need for a preventive approach, specifically addressing higher-risk families. An example of an evidence-based child maltreatment prevention program is ‘VoorZorg’, where trained nurses conduct home visits until the child turns two years old. The present study aims to assess the needs and wishes of prior clients and nurses of ‘VoorZorg’, with regard to continuing support after the child turns two. In a qualitative design, we conducted individual interviews with 26 higher-risk mothers with a child aged between 3.5 and 6.5 years, who had participated in ‘VoorZorg’ before, and focus group interviews with nine ‘VoorZorg’ nurses. Two researchers transcribed the audiotapes and conducted a content analysis in an iterative process, using Atlas.ti software. Mothers preferred continued support and information after the ‘VoorZorg’ program, regarding their child’s development, their own parenting skills, maternal life course, mental wellbeing, finances, and advice on dealing with difficult behaviour of their child. Nurses believed that child development, the parent-child relationship and attachment should be the primary focus of continuing support of ‘VoorZorg’. Nurses also wanted to provide support on returning to education or work, in combination with motherhood. Mothers preferred continued support after completion of the ‘VoorZorg’ program regarding child rearing, nurturing, child development, and maternal mental wellbeing, confirmed by nurses. Our findings suggest the importance of strengthening parenthood in various ways, especially in vulnerable circumstances. Mothers’ needs and wishes and insights from nurses provide valuable input for developing a continuation of a preventive child maltreatment program.