Poster #53 - Observed Changes in Maternal Sensitivity Following a DBT + Parenting Intervention for Depressed Methods of Preschoolers

• In Event: Poster Session 20

Abstract

Background: Maternal sensitivity is an important predictor of positive child developmental outcomes. Both depression and parenting stress threaten maternal sensitivity, putting children at risk of adverse outcomes. There is a lack of interventions that pair together both parenting strategies and mental health interventions for mothers experiencing depression. Thus, it was hypothesized that the effects of this paired intervention will improve maternal sensitivity.

Methods: Before and immediately following a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills Group and parenting intervention, (N = 40) mother-child dyads completed questionnaires and an assessment where they were led through a series of tasks to compare changes in maternal sensitivity. Trained coders assessed maternal sensitivity with the Pre-School Maternal Sensitivity Q-sort.

Results: Participants were excluded if they could not make group times (6%), mothers were too young (16%), and they did not meet PHQ-9 eligibility (43%). Most mothers (62.5%) were married or living with a common-law partner while the median income was in the $40-60k range. Children's average age was 4.3 years. Negative correlations were found between Q-sort change and changes in emotion dysregulation, r(30) = -.434, p < 0.05. Changes in the Q-sort were negatively associated with changes in parenting behaviours r(29) = -.542, p < 0.01 and mental health symptoms, r(30) = -.502, p < 0.01. Positive changes in mental health symptoms significantly predicted positive changes in Q-sort scores, while changes in parenting behaviour scores were found to be a non-significant predictor on its own.

Discussion: The results of this study supported our hypothesis on the paired intervention; mothers with lower baseline sensitivity experienced a greater change in maternal sensitivity following the intervention. This study was one of the first to adapt and assess maternal sensitivity through the MBQS completely remotely.

Authors

• Cici Guo, University of Manitoba
  Presenting Author

• Shaelyn Stienwandt, University of Manitoba

• Lindsay D. H. Berard, University of Manitoba

• Kailey Elena Penner, University of Manitoba

• Leslie E. Roos, University of Manitoba

• Ryan Giuliano, University of Manitoba

• Natalie Mota, University of Manitoba

• Laurence Katz, Health Sciences Centre

• Maureen Zalewski, University of Oregon