The Nurturing Connections Intervention for Mother-Infant Dyads
The perinatal period is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and infants. Numerous studies have shown that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are the most common risks associated with childbirth. PMADs and related psychosocial stressors may result in significant impairment in maternal and infant functioning as well as disturbances in the quality of the mother-infant relationship. Such risks compromise mothers’ capacities to provide sensitive and responsive care, which in turn may lead to more distress and unresponsiveness among infants, thereby negatively impacting the mother-infant relationship. Thus, it is important to intervene early to promote adaptive mother-infant functioning and interactions.
Samantha M. Brown, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University used the Nurturing Connections intervention in a pilot study, and delivered it to at risk mothers, to see whether the Nurturing Connections intervention affects the mothers and their relationship with their infants to help them learn skills to better relate to their infants and thus better cope with parenting stresses.
Nurturing Connections involves use of the Mother-Infant Therapy Group (M-ITG) Model, which is a 12-week evidence-based and relational-focused curriculum delivered to mothers and infants during the perinatal period.
Dr. Brown first tested the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the Nurturing Connections intervention among mothers and infants with elevated risk. Second, she examined the preliminary efficacy of the Nurturing Connections intervention on maternal mood disorders (anxiety and depression), parenting stress and competence, maternal self-esteem, mother-infant relationship quality, and infant outcomes.
Three group components were implemented over an 8-to-12-week period: (a) a mother’s group that provides therapeutic intervention and peer support; (b) a concurrent infant developmental group that assists infants in becoming more emotionally regulated and socially engaged; and (c) a mother-infant dyadic group with activities designed to promote sensitive and responsive mother-infant interactions. To make the intervention accessible and meet the needs of all participants after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nurturing Connections intervention was shortened to 8 weeks and partially delivered online for two out of five cohorts. Twenty-six mothers completed pre- and post-test assessments. Participants completed one pre-assessment (entry into the study) and one post-assessment (approximately 8 to 12 weeks after the pre-assessment). Participants were mothers between the ages of 19 to 41 years old and their infants and most were primiparous.
The project found that the intervention was successful in reducing parenting stress and anxiety. Mothers reported that they found the program to be a big help. They said that they learned about their babies needs and that the program helped them improve their relationship with their babies. Further, the mothers reported that they learned how to connect with their baby.
Overall, findings provide preliminary support for the use of the Nurturing Connections intervention to address maternal mental health, parenting stress, maternal competence, maternal self-esteem, and mother-infant relationship quality.