Evaluation of an intervention programme to support mothers and babies at psychosocial risk: assessment of mother/child interaction and mother's perceptions of benefit.

The outcome of a short-term intervention programme for mothers at psychosocial risk was evaluated. The study included 63 mothers and their 0-6-month-old babies who participated in a 6-week intensive treatment programme. Mother-child interaction was assessed in the beginning and at the end of treatment by two independent staff members based on direct observation, and by two control raters who observed video recordings which were arranged in blind order. The mothers were interviewed about the treatment retrospectively. A positive change in several aspects of mother-child interaction, according to the assessments made by the raters and according to the mothers themselves. The number of mothers who were positive toward the treatment rose from 34 in the beginning of the treatment to 56 at the end. In conclusion, a short but intensive intervention seems to have a positive outcome on mother-child interaction, and was in most cases linked to a positive attitude.