Exploring sensitivity intervention (VIPP) efficacy for mothers and fathers with infant temperament as a moderator.

• In Event: Poster Session 04
  In Poster Session: PS 04 Topic - Prevention and Interventions

Abstract

Sensitivity is a parent’s ability to perceive and interpret infant signals and respond appropriately (Ainsworth, et al., 1978). Research has shown that mothers’ sensitivity has long-term impacts on infant development. However, infant temperament can play an important role in how infants and parents interact with each other. For example, Braungart-Rieker and colleagues (1998) have shown that infants with more negative temperaments use less self-regulatory behaviors during the Still Face Paradigm (SFP; Tronick, et al., 1978) and may rely more on the parent to regulate their distress. In addition, parents may have difficulty with recognizing their infant’s cues and responding accordingly. The Video-feedback to promote positive parenting intervention (VIPP; Juffer, et al., 2008) was developed to aid parents in the interpretation of infant signals as well as appropriate responsiveness. Although VIPP is commonly used and shown to be effective with mothers of infants, toddlers, and young children, the intervention has not been fully tested on fathers of infants. The current study examines the efficacy of VIPP for both mothers and fathers of infants with infant temperamental negative reactivity as a possible moderator of intervention efficacy.
Data were obtained from an ongoing longitudinal study (Families and Babies Study) evaluating the effects of two interventions on parent’s behaviors, infant development, and overall family functioning. The study collects questionnaires and conducts laboratory visits when infants are 6-, 12-, 16-, and 18-months old. After the 6-month visit, families are randomly assigned to one of four intervention groups; sensitivity (i.e. VIPP) intervention (SI), communication intervention (CI; Faircloth & Cummings, 2008), both interventions (SICI), or attention control intervention (CON). Families completed their respective intervention before the 12-month visit. The current study utilizes data from when infants are 6- and 12-months old (N = 211). Questionnaires at 6-months assessed infant temperament (negative reactivity scale; IBQR-VSF; Putnam, et al., 2014). At 12-months, parent-child dyads participating in the SFP were video recorded for later observational coding (sensitivity; Braungart-Rieker et al., 2001; α ≥ .8). Parent sensitivity coding is ongoing (Nfather = 95, Nmother = 0).
A preliminary regression analysis was conducted predicting father’s sensitivity at 12-months based on intervention group with the infant's temperamental negative reactivity as a moderator while controlling for father’s 6-month sensitivity. To assess the efficacy of the sensitivity intervention, intervention group was dummy coded (0= CI & CON, 1= SI & SICI). With the current sample size, results were nonsignificant (see Figure 1). An a priori power analysis was conducted to determine the sample size necessary to detect a small effect size (.02); an N of 144 with 72 participants in each dummy coded group is needed.
In Spring 2021, when additional coding of father’s (expected N = 144) and mother’s sensitivity (expected N = 144) is complete, regression analyses will examine the moderating effect of infant’s negative reactivity on the relationship between intervention group and sensitivity for both parents. We expect parents who participated in the sensitivity intervention to show greater sensitivity despite having a child with a more negative temperament when compared to parents in the CI and CON group.

Authors

• Emily Carmen LaPorte, University of Notre Dame
  Presenting Author

• Molly ONeill, University of Notre Dame
  Non-Presenting Author

• Julie M Braungart-Rieker, Colorado State University
  Non-Presenting Author