Outcome evaluation in brief mother-infant psychotherapies: Report on 75 cases

Predictors of outcome in infant and toddlers functional or behavioral disorders after a brief parent–infant psychotherapy

“…The study population presented similar characteristics to those observed in previous similar studies using a similar therapeutic approach [13,42], in particular a large proportion of sleep disturbances (the most frequent symptom in the present population) and the existence of co-morbidity (presence of behavioral disturbances, functional disturbances and/or emotional difficulties), which was observed in the present study for nearly two-thirds of the children [25,33,39,46]. There was also a large proportion of anxious and, to a lesser extent, depressive symptoms among the mothers [8,22], as well as an association between the mental state of the mother and difficulties experienced by the child (in particular prior to the start of the therapy, and in case of behavioral disorders in the child).…”

“…There was no association between the child's symptoms and the anxious or depressive state of the father; however, the small amount of data concerning these factors for the fathers does not enable conclusions to be drawn. After the therapy, improvement is observed for both children and parents [10,18,42]. For around three quarters of the children, complete or partial improvement of the symptoms was observed, and around half the children returned to a level of functioning that corresponds to the SCL norm [42].…”

“…After the therapy, improvement is observed for both children and parents [10,18,42]. For around three quarters of the children, complete or partial improvement of the symptoms was observed, and around half the children returned to a level of functioning that corresponds to the SCL norm [42]. Although nearly half the mothers still presented anxiety symptoms in the final assessment, these symptoms were generally moderate, with a HAD score between 8 and 10.…”

“…The outcomes of these therapies have been generally positive, even 6 months or more after the end of the treatment [9,10,13,31,42]. In a population of children aged 30 months or less with functional or behavioral disorders, Robert-Tissot et al [42] compared infant-parent psychodynamic psychotherapy and interactional guidance. They showed that the main benefits were seen in the child's symptoms.…”

“…The only factor evidenced in a clinical population of young children was the type of disorder in the child, behavioral disorders improving less markedly than functional disorders [42]. To form an idea of potential predictive factors, reference has to be made to other populations, and in particular young children exposed to maternal depression and/or unfavourable socioeconomic conditions receiving preventive interventions, or children and adolescents undergoing psychotherapy.…”