Background Difficulties in parent-child interaction are easily observed and are a potential target for early intervention. This review aimed to assess the utility of current observational methods used to assess parent-child interactions–within the first year of life–and their ability to screen and identify children from low-risk samples most at risk of developing childhood psychopathology. Methods Six bibliographic databases were searched, and reference lists screened. All peer reviewed papers studying the association between an independent observation of parent-child interaction and later childhood psychopathology in community-based samples were included. Included studies were those recruiting from population or community-based birth cohort data, which we define as ‘low-risk’. Studies based on populations known to have a diagnosis of psychiatric illness or developmental disorder, or at high genetic or environmental risk of being diagnosed with such disorder, were excluded. Results were synthesised qualitatively due to high heterogeneity. Results 20,051 papers were identified, nine were included in this study. Childhood psychopathology was associated with fewer positive parent-infant interactions, lower parent vocalisation frequency and lower levels of adult speech and activity. Maternal sensitivity was inversely related to separation anxiety and oppositional defiant/conduct disorders were associated with lower shared look rates. Disruptive behaviour disorders were associated with higher frequency of child vocalisation. Conclusion Assessment of parent-child interactions, particularly the level of maternal activity, may be an early indicator of later childhood psychopathology in low-risk samples. Further longitudinal, population-based studies are required. Trial registration PROSPERO review registration: CRD42020162917 https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=CRD42020162917.

ObjectivesAs the number of people living beyond cancer treatment has increased, supportive post-treatment interventions have become increasingly important. The present study investigates whether participation in the Maggie’s ‘Where Now?’ post-cancer support programme is associated with improvements in healthy eating, quality of life, self-efficacy (confidence) or cancer worry.MethodsIn a pre–post design, 88 people who had completed cancer treatment and were enrolled in the 7-week ‘Where Now?’ programme at Maggie’s centres across the UK rated their diet, activity, quality of life, self-efficacy and cancer worries before and after programme participation. Programme content was coded to identify the techniques used to create change (‘behaviour change techniques’).ResultsProgramme participation was associated with significant improvements in general self-efficacy (p=0.01), self-efficacy about engaging in physical activity (p<0.01), quality of life (p<0.01) and cancer worry (p=0.04) but not with changes in healthy eating (p=0.23).ConclusionParticipation in the ‘Where Now?’ programme is associated with significant improvements in several key psychological outcomes in people living beyond cancer. The techniques most commonly used in the programme to create change were giving participants instructions about how to perform a particular behaviour, encouraging problemsolving to overcome barriers and setting goals.