Experiences of Mothers Participating in a Mother–Child Video Therapy Program

Abstract

Introduction Responsive and sensitive parenting promotes the development of self‐regulation and lowers stress in children, which in turn is associated with greater educational and economic achievement and better physical and emotional health later in life. Dyadic parent–child video‐feedback programs can help parents learn effective parenting skills, yet these programs are estimated to retain only about half of eligible participants. Programs vary widely, and little is known about what is valued by parents who do complete these programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the goals, experiences, and outcomes important to mothers who completed a video‐feedback program. Methods Transcripts of exit interviews of participants in a video‐feedback program (N = 31) were analyzed using qualitative description methodology. Trustworthiness was achieved through deep engagement with the material, following an iterative process in analyzing transcripts, and member checks to confirm results. Results Mothers enrolled in the program to better understand their child, help their child learn, and to develop closer connections with their child. Elements of the program that helped mothers achieve these goals were (1) positive feedback and support by the therapist, (2) dedicated one‐on‐one time spent with their infant, (3) help with concrete needs, and (4) learning from watching videotaped play sessions. As a result, mothers reported greater confidence as caregivers, use of more responsive and sensitive parenting strategies, and improvements in their children's behaviors and their own mental health. Discussion Incorporating elements of the program found to be most useful in this study into video‐feedback programs may make video‐feedback programs more attractive to parents and increase retention. Midwives and women's health care providers may incorporate elements of the program into their clinical practice and advocacy, with special attention to elements most valued by parents themselves.

Supportive psychotherapeutic intervention and video directing observed therapy to increase family adherence

“…The VDOT can provide service information to help patients make better decisions, follow doctors' advice, receive better health services as reminders, and monitor patient treatment [44]. VDOT interventions are a viable solution to support programs by adapting new technologies available through technological growth during the pandemic era [45]. The benefits of this intervention are as a reminder to take medication, a reminder for the next scheduled visit, as education about pulmonary TB, families, and patients can also report directly about the situation the patient is experiencing during treatment [46].…”