Effects of a short video feedback intervention on enhancing maternal sensitivity and infant development in low-income families

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of a short video feedback intervention aimed at enhancing maternal sensitivity and the development of infants from low-income families in a randomized controlled trial. Forty-four mother-infant dyads living in low-income communities from Salvador, Brazil were randomly assigned between intervention and control groups. Maternal sensitivity was assessed during free-play and infant development was evaluated with a standardized scale. Intervention took place in eight home visits between the infant's third and tenth month. Results showed mothers in the intervention group interpreted the meaning of their infants' behavior more often (r = 0.33), asked babies more questions (r = 0.39), and were less intrusive (r = 0.47) when compared to controls on posttest. The absence of significant intervention effects on infant development suggests the need for additional intervention strategies and a greater time lag between maternal sensitivity and infant development assessments to detect possible delayed effects.

Keywords: Maternal sensitivity; infant development; intervention; low-income; video feedback.