Virtual Mom Power With High-Adversity Mothers and Children (MPHAMC)

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Biobehavioral Regulation Among High-Adversity Mothers and Young Children

This study is a randomized controlled confirmatory efficacy trial of virtual Mom Power (MP), a group-based, relationship-focused multifamily preventive intervention.

This study is a randomized controlled confirmatory efficacy trial of virtual Mom Power (MP), a group-based, relationship-focused multifamily intervention with previously demonstrated effectiveness improving maternal mental health and parenting stress in randomized controlled trials. vMP targets 5 core components: 1) enhancing social support; 2) attachment-based parenting education; 3) self-care, including affect regulation; 4) guided parent-child interactions, and 5) connecting to care. Eligible and enrolled participants will be randomized to receive the 10 week group-based intervention or 10 weeks of informational mailings; both groups will receive individual home-based sessions. Outcomes include maternal social support, psychopathology, sensitive parenting, child psychopathology, two-generational biobehavioral self-regulation targets (Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia), parent and child emotion and behavior regulation, and dyadic behavioral and physiological synchrony. Assessments will occur at intake, post, and 6 months following the group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Enrollment status in one of the following services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or Head Start
• Maternal age of at least 18 years
• Mother is primary caregiver of child
• Mother speaks English
• Child age is between 3-5 years
• Family resides within 8 parish New Orleans metro area

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mother is not biological mother
• Diagnosis of a heart condition in the mother or the child
• Presence of a pacemaker in the mother or the child
• Child diagnosis of autism or global developmental delay
• Active maternal substance use
• Active maternal psychosis