Group Videoconferencing Intervention to Improve Maternal Sensitivity

Group Videoconferencing Intervention to Improve Maternal Sensitivity in Mother-infant Dyads in Primary Care in Chile : Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial

Background: Early childhood development is highly dependent on the sensitive care provided by their caregivers . Interventions focused on supporting parents to improve their sensitivity have been shown to be effective . The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact on mental health , with pregnant women and mothers of children under one year of age being an especially vulnerable group . On the other hand, access to mental health interventions in person is restricted by confinement measures , especially group interventions, so it is relevant to have remote interventions that support this group of mothers.

Objectives: to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a group videoconferencing intervention to improve maternal sensitivity aimed at mother / infant dyads attended in Primary Health Care in Chile Methodology: a randomized pilot feasibility study will be carried out with a mixed design with quantitative and qualitative evaluations. A face-to-face group intervention with proven effectiveness will be adapted to videoconferencing format , then 50 dyads will be randomized in a 3: 2 ratio to receive the videoconferencing intervention ( n=30) or the delivery of educational brochures (n=20) . The feasibility and acceptability will be evaluated assessing the participation, adherence and satisfaction in a quantitative way, in addition the qualitative evaluation will be carried out through interviews and focus groups. Changes in clinical outcomes will also be evaluated: maternal sensitivity, depressive symptoms, postnatal maternal attachment and infant socio-emotional development. This pilot study will allow the identification of the key parameters for the implementation and evaluation of the intervention, which will allow the design of an effectiveness study in the future.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Mother of a baby between 4 months and a year
• Attended at one of the participating primary care health centers
• Older than 18 years-old
• Handling Spanish fluently
• Have an electronic device that allows videoconferencing (computer, tablet or smart cell phone)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mother with severe intellectual deficit or psychotic symptoms
• Participate in another early intervention at the health care center