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Infant Attachment Intervention with Parents in Early Substance Abuse Recovery

Infant Attachment Intervention with Parents in Early Substance Abuse Recovery. Rosana M. Aguilar Foster Care Research Group University of San Francisco April 29, 2012. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE.

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Infant Attachment Intervention with Parents in Early Substance Abuse Recovery

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  1. Infant Attachment Intervention with Parents in Early Substance Abuse Recovery Rosana M. Aguilar Foster Care Research Group University of San Francisco April 29, 2012

  2. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE • Improving the relationship between infant(s) and their parent(s) is of great importance and can reduce child maltreatment • Substance dependent parents have trouble forming healthy attachment with their infants • Infants of parents with substance use/abuse problems have a higher rate of entry to the foster care system compare to infants of non-abusing parents • Infant massage interventions have been shown to improve bonds between parent(s) and their infant(s), increase parenting skills, and decrease parental stress and depressive moods • The current study evaluates the impact of a 10-week infant massage intervention program with substance dependent parent(s) and their infant(s)

  3. METHODS: Parent Participants (n=17) • 88.2% female • 64.7% single • Mean age = 33.7 years; SD = 5.865 • 41.2% completed high school • 100% were unemployed

  4. METHODS: Infant Participants (n=17) • 64.7% female • Mean age = 3.45 months; SD = 2.735 • 59.9% born with positive toxicology screen

  5. METHODS: Procedure • Staff of the treatment facility identified the residents who had registered for the Infant Massage intervention • Parents were invited to participate by the research team and those who agreed to participate in the study read and signed Informed Consent Forms • Interviews were conducted before and after the infant massage intervention at the residential substance abuse treatment facility in which the parents lived

  6. METHODS: Measures • Semi-structured demographic and program evaluation survey • The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) • The Parenting Stress Index – Short Form (PSI-SF) • The Knowledge of Infant Development Questionnaire (KIDI)

  7. RESULTS: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Paired Sample T-test comparison of mean scores showed no significant differences (Pre-test: mean = 9.53; SD = 5.125; Post-test: mean = 8.82; SD = 5.692)

  8. RESULTS: Parenting Stress Index – Short Form

  9. RESULTS: Knowledge of Infant Development Questionnaire (KIDI)

  10. RESULTS: Program Evaluation

  11. RESULTS: Program Evaluation

  12. RESULTS: Program Evaluation

  13. RESULTS: Program Evaluation

  14. DISCUSSION • Though not statistically significant, results demonstrate decreased parent depression and increased knowledge of child development following participation in an infant massage program • Results suggest lower parental stress following the intervention, in particular in the dysfunctional interactions between parent and child • After completing the intervention, parents reported having more “happy,” less “frustrating/confused,” and less “sad” moments with their infant each day • Parents indicated that they learned about infant development and how to understand and soothe their infants during the intervention • Participants indicated that the intervention was very helpful in creating a stronger bond with their infants

  15. What does it mean? • Findings • Parents who attend an attachment based intervention such as infant massage are able to have more appropriate expectations of their infants, are less focused on their stress, have a greater understanding of their infant’s needs, and can enjoy more “happy” moments with infants • Potential Benefits • Increase attachment between parent and infant • Break/reduce the intergenerational cycle of abuse • Reduces future entry of infant into the foster care system • Increase recovery success for parents • Increase health outcomes for infants

  16. Limitation and Future Research • The current study is limited by • Small sample size • Lack of comparison group • Pre-test post-test sensitization • In addition to the current measures, future research should include • More participants. • Include a comparison group • A measures to directly assess infant participants • Follow-up on parent’s recovery • Follow-up on infant’s history in foster care.

  17. Contact Information Foster Care Research Group (FCRG) Department of Psychology University of San Francisco (415) 422-5321 fcrg@usfca.edu

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