Psychometrics and validation of a brief rating measure of parent-infant interaction

Abstract

This study investigated the psychometrics of a recently developed global rating measure of videotaped parent-infant interaction, the Manchester Assessment of Caregiver–Infant Interaction (MACI), in a normative sample. Inter-rater reliability, stability over time, and convergent and discriminant validity were tested. Six-minute play interactions were blind-rated by trained coders in 147 healthy mother-infant dyads at 3–10 months postpartum using the MACI; 51% were re-assessed 4 or 7 months later. Infant cognitive functioning, language and temperament, parent-reported infant warmth and invasion, parental mood, and the parent’s own recalled experiences of being parented were measured. We report the internal psychometrics of the MACI, evidence of stability as predicted, and inter-rater reliability. MACI caregiver sensitive responsiveness showed convergent validity with parental state of mind (mood at 3–4 months; report of own childhood care and overprotection), while MACI infant affect (but not the caregiver scales) was associated with parent-rated infant warmth. All MACI scales showed discriminant validity with concurrent cognitive and language developmental status, and most temperament dimensions. In conclusion, the MACI demonstrates utility, reliability and preliminary validity data in a normative sample, which complements previous work using the MACI. Follow-up is needed to test predictive validity. The findings inform further improvements to the tool, and may guide those looking for a relatively brief way to examine the global qualities of parent, infant and dyadic interaction.

Natural variation in maternal sensitivity is reflected in maternal brain responses to infant stimuli.

“…Manchester Assessment of Caregiver-Infant Interaction (MACI) (Wan et al, 2012(Wan et al, , 2016 This validated rating scale measure of global qualities of parent-infant interaction is suitable for 3-15 months of age and was designed to measure seven key areas on a 1 to 7 scale based on 6 minutes of videotaped unstructured play (Wan et al, 2016). A trained coder, who has undergone >70 hours training and supervised coding practice, rated the videotaped interactions following detailed reviews and narrative notes of the play episode, blind to family information and study aims.…”

Pre-emptive intervention versus treatment as usual for infants showing early behavioural risk signs of autism spectrum disorder: a single-blind, randomised controlled trial

“…The Manchester Assessment of Caregiver-Infant interaction (MACI) 23 is a global rating measure of the quality of parent-infant interactions. It is blind video-coded from a 6-minute play session between parent/caregiver and infant.…”

Randomised trial of a parent‐mediated intervention for infants at high risk for autism: longitudinal outcomes to age 3 years

“…Manchester Assessment of Caregiver-Infant Child interaction (MACI; Wan, Brooks, Green, Abel, & Elmadih, 2016;Wan et al, 2013), is a global coding on 7-point scales from 6-min videotaped free-play interaction. The infancy version of the instrument was used at the 9-and 15-month assessment points and the toddler version at 27 months.…”