Mind-mindedness Intervention
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing the efficacy of an intervention to improve mind-mindedness in teenage mothers.
IRAS ID
126036
Contact name
Elizabeth Meins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Research summary
Findings from a number of studies show that parents' ability to 'tune in' to what their baby might be thinking or feeling (so-called 'mind-mindedness') is an important predictor of a range of positive child outcomes (secure attachment, language and play, understanding of other people's thoughts and feelings). Specifically for families in poverty, parents' ability to tune in to their babies' thoughts and feelings protects the child against problem behaviours at school-starting age. Research to date has demonstrated the widespread benefits of parents' willingness to see things from the child's perspective.
The main research objective of this project is to develop and evaluate an intervention package that will inform parents in an accessible way about mind-mindedness. The intervention will consist of an animated film, booklet and smartphone app that will help facilitate parents' mind-mindedness. The efficacy of this intervention package will be evaluated by exploring its impact on mother-baby interaction and child and parent outcomes in an at-risk sample (teenage mothers).
The study will involve 210 teenage mothers who will receive either the intervention package or a control package (providing information on more general aspects of development). Mind-mindedness will be assessed before receiving the package and 6 months later. Mothers’ general sensitivity when interacting with their babies, mental health and available social support will also be measured at these two time points. Mother–baby attachment will be assessed at age 12 months.
A greater increase in mind-mindedness from from Time 1 to Time 2 in the intervention group compared with the control group will indicate that mind-mindedness was influenced specifically by the experimental intervention. At age 12 months, lower levels of maternal ill-health and a higher proportion of secure attachment in the intervention group compared with controls will indicate that the intervention-related increase in mind-mindedness has influenced these other factors.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0114
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion