R2R Evaluation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ready to Relate (R2R): A qualitative evaluation exploring the perspectives of parents and practitioners on the acceptability, feasibility and impact of a resource to improve and enhance the Parent-Infant Relationship
IRAS ID
322970
Contact name
Sarah Blower
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 29 days
Research summary
Parent-infant relationships are important in the long-term health and development of the child. Attachment is the mechanism by which a child uses a parent (or primary caregiver) as a safe base from which to explore and interact with the world. The main attachment styles are secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant, and disorganised. Insecure and disorganised attachment styles are associated with poorer cognitive, social, behavioural, and emotional development. Risk factors for disorganised or insecure attachment styles include postnatal depression and a lack of parental sensitivity to infant behavioural cues.
Attachment styles can change over time, so parents can be supported to promote secure attachment, even where insecure or disorganised attachment has already developed. NICE guidelines currently emphasise the importance of assessing and supporting postnatal parent-infant attachment, particularly in home visiting programmes.
This study will use semi-structured interviews to evaluate the Ready to Relate (R2R) intervention; a set of cards which practitioners can use with parents to explore and discuss a wide range of different aspects of the parent-infant relationship and to promote parental sensitivity to infant cues. Semi-structured interviews will be used to explore the perspectives of practitioners and parents who have used R2R. Areas covered will include acceptability and feasibility across diverse family characteristics, perceived impacts, and possible mechanisms of action of the intervention.
The study will take place in Bradford, across patients and practitioners within Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCT) services. The study will commence as soon as approvals are obtained, and is scheduled to finish in March 2024.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0150
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion