Maternal functioning and the mummy buddy program | Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning

I get frequent questions regarding the interpretation of the BIMF. This group of relatively healthy (no mental/physical complications, did NOT screen positive for depression) maintained relatively strong, steady BIMF scores across the program duration. BIMF scores and change in BIMF scores should be interpreted in context of the intervention. This particular program attracted healthy women who, on average, remained healthy in terms of maternal functioning.

“In terms of key feasibility considerations, 95.1% of Mummy Buddies felt that they were trained
sufficiently to perform their role, and 85.8% of New Mothers were satisfied with the support provided by
their Buddy. Analyses of preliminary efficacy (i.e., program outcomes) revealed that the
first-time mothers maintained normal levels of stress and depressive symptomology, and possessed relatively strong maternal functioning, across the program duration.”