Family Intervention Programs for Infant Development
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to understand how family programs can improve infants' mental health and social skills. It compares different methods of supporting families, such as enhancing parent-baby interactions and improving couple communication. The trial will determine which approach works best for various families. It is suitable for parents living together with healthy infants who have no health problems. As an unphased trial, this study provides families the opportunity to contribute to valuable research that could enhance parenting support programs.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research shows that the Sensitivity Intervention is generally easy for participants to handle and has positive effects. Studies have found that these interventions help parents better understand and respond to their child's needs, reducing disorganized attachment, where a child feels unsure about connecting with their parents.
For the Couples Intervention, research indicates that programs aimed at improving communication between partners are effective. They help parents collaborate more smoothly in raising their child and can enhance the quality of their relationship. Participants report finding this type of intervention helpful.
The combined Sensitivity and Couples Intervention addresses both areas. Research suggests that this comprehensive approach strengthens the parent-child relationship and improves child behavior. Participants usually find these interventions beneficial and easy to manage.
Overall, these interventions are considered safe and have shown positive outcomes for both parents and children. They are designed to support families in a gentle and constructive way, making them a popular choice for many.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about these family intervention programs for infant development because they offer a unique approach to enhancing infant-parent relationships. Unlike traditional programs that might focus solely on parental education, these interventions emphasize improving parental sensitivity and couples' communication directly through home visits, now conducted via Zoom. This dual focus not only helps strengthen the parent-infant bond but also improves the overall family dynamic, which can be crucial for an infant's development. By delivering these interventions in a remote format, they remain accessible and adaptable, particularly in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. This innovative approach could lead to more effective and resilient family support systems.
What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for infant development?
This trial will compare different family intervention programs for infant development. Research has shown that early programs aimed at enhancing parental sensitivity can improve mother-child interactions and protect children from the harmful effects of difficult early experiences. In this trial, some participants will receive a Sensitivity Intervention, focusing on enhancing parental sensitivity.
For couples, research indicates that improving how parents work together can strengthen their relationship and create a better home environment for their baby. Participants in this trial may receive a Couples Intervention, which focuses on enhancing constructive communication between partners.
Additionally, the trial includes a combined Sensitivity and Couples Intervention arm. Evidence suggests that a happy parental relationship is linked to better social development in babies. These findings support the idea that focusing on both parent-child and partner relationships can lead to healthier family dynamics and child development.12367Who Is on the Research Team?
E M Cummings, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
University of Notre Dame
Julia Braungart-Rieker, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Colorado State University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for cohabiting parents with healthy infants who have no known health problems. Both mothers and fathers must agree to participate. It's designed to help improve child and family health by enhancing early experiences and attachment.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Phase I: Pre-test and Intervention
Lab and home pre-test for infants 6 months of age followed by an 8-week intervention period
Phase II: Post-test
Initial post-test conducted 12 months after the start of the study
Phase III: Follow-up Post-test
Second post-test conducted 16-18 months after the start of the study
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Control
- Couples' Intervention
- Sensitivity and Couples' Intervention
- Sensitivity Intervention
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Notre Dame
Lead Sponsor
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Collaborator