Improving parenting, child attachment, and externalizing behaviors: Meta-analysis of the first 25 randomized controlled trials on the effects of Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline

Abstract

Improving parenting, child attachment, and externalizing behaviors: Meta-analysis of the first 25 randomized controlled trials on the effects of Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD). VIPP-SD combines support of parental sensitive responsiveness with coaching parents in sensitive limit setting. Here, we present meta-analyses of 25 RCTs conducted with more than 2,000 parents and caregivers. Parents or children had various risks. We examined its effectiveness in promoting parental cognitions and behavior regarding sensitive parenting and limit setting, in promoting secure child–parent attachment, and reducing externalizing child behavior. Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, and recent reviews were searched for relevant trials (until May 10, 2021). Multilevel meta-analysis with META, METAFOR, and DMETAR in R took account of the 3-level structure of the datasets (studies, participants, measures). The meta-analyses showed substantial combined effect sizes for parenting behavior (r = .18) and attitudes (r = .16), and for child attachment security (r = .23), but not for child externalizing behavior (r = .07). In the subset of studies examining effects on both parenting and attachment, the association between effect sizes for parenting and for attachment amounted to r = .48. We consider the way in which VIPP-SD uses video-feedback an active intervention component. Whether VIPP-SD indeed stimulates secure attachment through enhanced positive parenting remains an outstanding question for further experimental study and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Replicating a randomized trial with video-feedback to promote positive parenting in parents of school-aged twins.

“…Contrary to our expectations, the VIPP-SD did not influence parental sensitivity as assessed in the present study. Although this is in line with the findings of the Euser et al (2021) study, it is not what we had expected based on meta-analytic findings on the effectiveness of the VIPP-SD program (Juffer et al, 2017; Van IJzendoorn et al, in press). It might be that the intervention indeed failed to have an effect on sensitivity.…”

Prenatal Reflective Functioning as a Predictor of Substance-Using Mothers' Treatment Outcome: Comparing Results From Two Different RF Measures

“…Interestingly, Smaling et al ( 2016 ), the only study on prenatal PRF we are aware of, found a specific association between maternal prenatal PRF and sensitivity only in teaching situations, which may resemble more of our measure of structuring. One potential reason for this unexpected lack of findings was perhaps that the PGT intervention used in our study was not directly focused on increasing maternal sensitivity, lacking the most effective means, such as the use of video feedback (see van IJzendoorn et al, 2022 ). The current PGT interventions instead concentrated more around supporting maternal abilities to regulate themselves and their infants, which was also evident in more effectiveness for intrusiveness and hostility rather than sensitivity (Belt et al, 2012 ).…”

“…To conclude, mothers with prenatal SUD need treatments that are multi-professional and comprehensive and should be started during pregnancy to prevent both fetal exposure and the development of dyadic interaction problems (Flykt et al, 2021 ). The parenting component of treatments should ideally include the following elements: First, direct support of sensitivity toward the infant (such as with the use of video feedback, van IJzendoorn et al, 2022 ) is vital. Second, the mothers need help in mentalizing the infant and their parenting.…”

Conduct Problems and Hair Cortisol Concentrations Decrease in School-Aged Children after VIPP-SD: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Two Twin Cohorts

“…Meta-analytic evidence has shown that the Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) is effective in increasing parental sensitivity, parental sensitive discipline, and child attachment security [ 1 , 2 ]. Parenting and attachment are important factors in the development and continuity of children’s stress regulation and externalizing behavior problems [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

“…Moreover, parents learn to see even subtle signals of proximity-seeking behavior in their child and to react promptly and adequately, which should help decreasing child stress levels [ 1 ]. Although the effects of the VIPP-SD on parental sensitivity and secure attachment have been supported in several randomized trials and confirmed in a meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled VIPP-SD studies, the evidence for the effects of VIPP-SD on children’s externalizing behavior remains inconclusive [ 2 ]. The most recent and largest pragmatic randomized trial conducted within the context of the British National Health Service (NHS) including more than 300 families with toddlers at risk for externalizing problems showed a significant effect of VIPP-SD on conduct problems [ 9 ].…”