Evaluation of a Mother-Infant Dyadic Video-Feedback Intervention in a Community Health Center in South Bronx, New York City

Abstract

Objective. This study evaluates a video-feedback program's effectiveness in promoting responsive and sensitive parenting for families in care in a community health center located in the South Bronx, New York City. Methods. Change in measures of parent responsiveness/ sensitivity (Global Rating Scale), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index-Short Form) were analyzed for mother-infant dyads (N=34) completing a six-session videofeedback program between 2014 and 2016. Results. Participants were primarily mothers of color (30% African American; 63% Hispanic) with young infants (mean age 8 months). At program completion, mothers demonstrated a significant improvement of 19% in maternal responsiveness and fewer depressive and anxious symptoms. Conclusion. Cost-effectiveness studies are needed to compare parenting interventions by setting (community health center, home, or mental health facility) for acceptability and effectiveness to determine best practice models for communities challenged by poverty, trauma, and health disparities.

Experiences of Mothers Participating in a Mother–Child Video Therapy Program

“…In this study, participants reported that participating in a video‐feedback program set in a community health center helped them become more sensitive and responsive parents. These perceptions are congruent with the findings of a quantitative evaluation of our program demonstrating significant improvements of 14% to 20% in measures of responsive and sensitive parenting by the end of the program 34 . Other studies, including several systematic reviews and meta‐analyses, have consistently shown that video‐feedback programs improve parental sensitivity 13,15,16 and child behaviors 12,13,15,16 .…”

“…At entry to the program, a significant percentage of participants reported depressive symptoms sufficiently high enough on PHQ‐9 to be associated with clinical depression. Readers interested in a fuller description of the sample and a discussion of the quantitative outcomes of our program are referred to a recent publication on our program 34 …”

“…These perceptions are congruent with the findings of a quantitative evaluation of our program demonstrating significant improvements of 14% to 20% in measures of responsive and sensitive parenting by the end of the program. 34 Other studies, including several systematic reviews and meta-analyses, have consistently shown that video-feedback programs improve parental sensitivity 13,15,16 and child behaviors. 12,13,15,16 However, our study is the only one known to the authors to query participants about what aspects of a video-feedback program were most valuable and helpful to participants in improving their parenting skills.…”