Decreases in Behavior Problems of Maltreated Children with the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention: Hypersensitivity as a Moderator of treatment effects

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: PS 10 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Individuals differ in the way they respond to treatments. According to recent studies, people with certain neurobiological dispositions (e.g., reactive temperament, sensory sensitivity) would be more susceptible to the positive effects of an intervention (e.g., De Villiers et al., 2018). This is what authors have called the vantage sensitivity hypotheses. More specifically, sensory processing sensitivity has been targeted as an individual characteristic that may moderate psychological intervention effects (Pluess et al., 2015). Using Dunn’s (2002) theoretical framework, sensory processing difficulties can be defined as hypo- or hyper-responsiveness to sensory stimuli. Hypersensitive children have a low neurobiological threshold: they promptly notice stimuli and are quick to respond to stimulation because their system is easily activated. Hence, they have high awareness of environmental subtleties and such a disposition may render them more responsive to treatment.
Maltreated children have been found to show elevated, clinical levels of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems (Trocmé et al., 2010). Externalizing outcomes can take the form of aggressive behaviors, conduct disorders and delinquency, whereas internalizing problems are observed in children’s emotional distress including depression, anxiety and maladaptive peer relationships (Lansford et al., 2009; Lansford et al., 2002; Johnson et al., 2002). In recent years, several studies have tested the efficacity of attachment-based intervention for maltreating parents and their children. Few have examined whether the intervention has an effect on behavior problems. The Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) improved the parental sensitivity of maltreating parents and helped reduce children's behavioral problems, but effects on behavior problems were small and moderated by child age (Moss et al., 2011). The current study examines whether sensory hypersensitive children are more likely to benefit from the AVI in terms of showing reduced behavior problems, than are less hypersensitive children and those not exposed to the AVI.
The sample comprised 60 children (0-5 years) and their parents reported for maltreatment to child protective services. Parent-child dyads were assigned to one of two intervention groups: 1) the AVI group or 2) the RS group, comprised of families receiving regular intervention services (a psycho-educative intervention) or no intervention with regular assessment services. During pre-test, parents completed the Sensory Profile questionnaires by Dunn (2002); and they completed both at pre- and post-tests the Child Behavioral Check List to assess changes in behavior problems (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001). Main effects of group for two regression analyses showed a significant and greater decrease in internalizing (β=.42) and externalizing (β=.41) problems for children of the AVI group in comparison to the RS group. Also, interaction effects revealed that for less hypersensitive children, group membership was not significantly related to externalizing problems (t=1.75), but for more hypersensitive children, being exposed to the AVI led to greater decreases in externalizing problems (t=5.45). There was no significant interaction effect for internalizing problems. Results of this study provide evidence for the vantage sensitivity hypothesis. Reductions of behavior problems occurred for children of the AVI group as a whole, but were stronger for those more hypersensitive to their environment.

Authors

• Solene Cognard-Bessette, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
  Presenting Author

• Valerie Langlois, University of quebec in montreal
  Non-Presenting Author

• Laurence Cyr-Desautels, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
  Non-Presenting Author

• Elke Hearson, L'Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chantal Cyr, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
  Non-Presenting Author