A long‐term follow‐up study of a randomized controlled trial of mother–infant psychoanalytic treatment: outcomes on mothers and interactions

ABSTRACT An earlier randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared 80 mother–infant dyads in a Stockholm sample. One had received mother–infant psychoanalytic treatment [mother–infant psychoanalytic therapies (MIP) group], and the other received Child Health Center care (CHCC group). Effects were found on mother‐reported depression and expert‐rated mother–infant relationship qualities and maternal sensitivity. When the children were years, the dyads were followed up with assessments of the children's attachment representations, social and emotional development, and global functioning, and the mothers’ psychological well‐being and representations of the child as well as the mother–child interactions. We gathered data from 66 cases approximately years’ posttreatment. All scores involving the mothers had now approached community levels. We found effects on maternal depression in favor of MIP, but no other between‐group differences. The MIP treatments seemed to have helped the mothers to recover more quickly on personal well‐being, to become more sensitive to their babies’ suffering, and to better support and appreciate their children throughout infancy and toddlerhood. If so, this would explain why the MIP children had a better global functioning and were more often “OK” and less often “Troubled” at years. RESUMEN Trasfondo: Un experimento anterior controlado al azar (RCT) comparó 80 díadas de madre‐infante en un grupo muestra de Estocolmo. ...
Source: Infant Mental Health Journal - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: ARTICLE Source Type: research