THE EFFECTS OF BRAZELTON INTERVENTION - A REVIEW

This article reviews research that has used the Brazelton Neonatal Beh avioral Assessment Scale (NBAS; Brazelton, 1984) as an intervention. I t discuss separately the various effects NBAS intervention has been fo und to have in areas such as parent-infant interaction, infant develop ment, temperament, and parental attitudes and satisfaction. Inconsiste nt findings are noted in each of these areas. This article then addres ses issues that may play a role in the effectiveness of NBAS intervent ion, including the risk status of the population, the intensity of the intervention, and the receptivity of the parent. It concludes by sugg esting that realistic goals be set concerning the expectations for ear ly, short-term intervention such as the NBAS.