Effectiveness of a prenatal video-feedback intervention to promote positive parenting for expectant fathers (VIPP-PRE) using live ultrasound images: A randomized controlled trial

• In Event: Understanding and improving fathering in the prenatal and postnatal period

Abstract

Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in a child’s social and emotional development (Cabrera, Volling, & Barr, 2018; Lamb, 2010). Although fathers have increased their participation in parenting over the past decades, in most families their parenting role is still modest (Cabrera et al., 2018; Parker & Wang, 2014). In addition, research repeatedly shows that fathers are less sensitive to their infants and toddlers than mothers (e.g., Hallers-Haalboom et al., 2014; Schoppe-Sullivan et al., 2006). The origin of parenting sensitivity can be found in the prenatal period (Leifer, 1977; Lucassen et al., 2015; Steele, Steele, and Fonagy, 1996), and prenatal father involvement has been shown to be an important predictor of postnatal father involvement (Shannon, Cabrera, Tamis-LeMonda, & Lamb, 2009). Nevertheless, very few studies have involved fathers in prenatal parenting interventions. The current randomized controlled trial (RCT), that will be preregistered on https://osf.io/4nyrx/, is the first to evaluate an interaction-based prenatal parenting intervention program aimed at promoting sensitivity and involvement in expectant fathers using ultrasound images: the Prenatal Video Feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting (VIPP-PRE).
A total of 73 first-time expectant fathers were recruited to take part in the study. The average years of education following primary school was 8.79 (SD = 1.44). Forty-five (unborn) infants were girls and 28 were boys. Of the 73 expectant fathers participating, 39 were randomly assigned to the VIPP-PRE intervention (Mage = 32.60 years, SDage = 2.91) and 34 to the control condition (Mage = 32.73 years, SDage = 3.76). VIPP-PRE consists of three prenatal sessions in which the intervener provides live feedback using recorded videos of fathers interacting with their unborn child. During these interactions, the child’s behaviour is made visible by use of a mobile ultrasound system (Philips Lumify 2017, Best, The Netherlands). Figure 1 displays an overview of the timeline of the intervention and the gestational age for all intervention appointments.
Parental sensitivity was coded using the Ainsworth Scales for sensitivity and cooperation (Ainsworth et al., 1974) from ten minute interactions at pre-test (Minfant gestational age = 24.94 weeks, SDinfant gestational age = 2.81) and follow-up (Minfant age = 10.41 weeks, SDinfant age = 3.85). During prenatal visits, an infant simulator was used. During the postnatal follow-up visits, fathers interacted with their own infant. In the week following the visits, paternal involvement was assessed prospectively via an application on participants’ smartphones that questioned their thoughts about, proximity to, and interaction with their (unborn) infant multiple times a day.
For paternal involvement and sensitivity, two linear mixed effects models will be conducted accounting for repeated measures over time and nesting of individuals within intervention groups. Main effects of time (pre-test vs. follow up) and condition (VIPP-PRE vs. control), and the interaction between time and condition will be tested. Results will be presented at the symposium.
If results show that the intervention has positive effects on fathers’ parenting, the VIPP-PRE intervention may be implemented in routine care for expectant parents.

Authors

• Renate Buisman, Leiden University
  Presenting Author

• Martine W. F. T. Verhees, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kim Alyousefi-van Dijk, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  Non-Presenting Author

• Noor de Waal, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, University College London (UCL)
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marian J Bakermans-Kranenburg, ISPA Lisbon
  Non-Presenting Author