Home Participation of Infants With and Without Biological Risk in the First Year of Life: A Cross-Sectional and Comparative Study

AIM: To compare caregiver-reported current and desired home participation of infants with and without biological risk in the first year of life. METHOD: Observational, cross-sectional and comparative study. Caregivers of 48 infants with (mean corrected age = 5.6(±2.3) months) and 32 without (mean corrected age = 5.8(±1.9) months) biological risk completed the Young Children's Participation and Environment Measure home section. Caregivers reported on their infant's current participation (frequency and involvement) in 13 activities within the domains of basic care routines, household chores, interactive and organized play, and socializing with friends and family, as well as their desire for change(s) in their infant's home participation. We compared groups using comparative tests (Bonferroni's correction for multiple comparisons; p < 0.0125). RESULTS: Infants with biological risk participated less frequently in the domain household chores (U = 383.000; p < 0.001); and were less involved in the domain household chores (U = 407.000; p < 0.001). No significant group differences were found in desire for change. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that home participation restriction can be identified for infants with biological risk in one out of four domains, which may allow health professionals to develop strategies to intervene early in the participation of children at risk in this specific area of household chores.