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. 2022 Nov;61(4):1188-1210.
doi: 10.1111/bjc.12388. Epub 2022 Aug 26.

Video feedback parent-infant intervention for mothers experiencing enduring difficulties in managing emotions and relationships: A randomised controlled feasibility trial

Kirsten Barnicot  1   2   3 , Morgan Welsh  4 , Sarah Kalwarowsky  1 , Eloise Stevens  1   2 , Jane Iles  4 , Jennie Parker  1 , Maddalena Miele  1 , Tara Lawn  5 , Laura O'Hanlon  5 , Sushma Sundaresh  6 , Ola Ajala  7 , Paul Bassett  8 , Christina Jones  4 , Paul Ramchandani  9 , Mike Crawford  2
Affiliations

Video feedback parent-infant intervention for mothers experiencing enduring difficulties in managing emotions and relationships: A randomised controlled feasibility trial

Kirsten Barnicot et al. Br J Clin Psychol. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: Parents experiencing mental health difficulties consistent with "personality disorder", often related to a history of complex trauma, may face increased challenges in parent-child relationships and child socioemotional development. There are no published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating perinatal parent-child interventions for this population. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of undertaking an RCT of the video feedback intervention for positive parenting adapted for perinatal mental health (VIPP-PMH).

Design: Feasibility study incorporating a pilot RCT.

Methods: Mothers with enduring difficulties in managing emotions and relationships, consistent with a "personality disorder", and their 6- to 36-month old infants were randomly allocated to receive six sessions of VIPP-PMH (n = 20) or usual care alone (n = 14).

Results: 76% of eligible mothers consented to participate. Intervention uptake and completion rates were 95% (≥1 VIPP-PMH session) and 70% (6 sessions), respectively. Follow-up rates were 85% at month 5 and 65% at month 8 post-baseline. Blinded observer-ratings of maternal sensitivity in parent-child interaction favoured the intervention group at month 5 (RR = 1.94, 95% CI 0.67-5.63) and month 8 (RR = 1.91, 95% CI 0.68-5.33). Small changes over time in self-rated parenting confidence and stress favoured the intervention group. There were no clear intervention effects on maternal non-intrusiveness or mental health, or on child behaviour problems, emotional functioning, or self-regulation.

Conclusions: An RCT of VIPP-PMH is feasible and acceptable to implement with mothers experiencing difficulties consistent with perinatal "personality disorder". A fully powered definitive RCT should be undertaken.

Keywords: infant mental health; parent-infant intervention; perinatal mental health; randomised controlled trial.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Participant flow through the study. PIP, Parent Infant Psychotherapy
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Maternal sensitivity during parent–child interaction. VIPP, Video feedback intervention for positive parenting
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Parenting confidence and stress. PSOC, Parenting Sense of Competence scale; PSS, Parental Stress Scale; VIPP, Video feedback intervention for positive parenting
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Child behaviour problems (BITSEA)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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