Adapting and developing a video-feedback intervention for co-parents of infants at risk of externalising behaviour problems (VIPP-Co): A feasibility study

Abstract

Background: Recent research on early interventions with parents of infants at risk of externalising behaviour problems indicates that focusing on co-parenting and involving fathers in treatment may enhance effectiveness. This article reports the development and preliminary evaluation of a brief intervention: video-feedback intervention to promote positive parenting and sensitive discipline for co-parents (VIPP-Co). Methods: Families who reported to be struggling with their infant’s behaviour were recruited from the community and received six home-based sessions of VIPP-Co. The primary outcome was feasibility of the adapted intervention, assessed using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews post-intervention. Preliminary clinical outcome measures were also recorded. Results: In total, five families with infants between 10 and 24 months completed the intervention. Feedback data documented high rates of acceptability and feasibility. All fathers and mothers completing the intervention reported that it positively impacted their understanding of their child’s thoughts and feelings, as well as their approach to individual parenting and co-parenting. Additional preliminary outcome data indicated positive changes in parent–chid interaction and a positive trend was found for infant behaviour, parental well-being and parent relationship adjustment across the intervention. Conclusions: The overall results of this study are encouraging, but VIPP-Co must be evaluated with larger samples to explore its efficacy.