Effectiveness of attachment based STEEP™ intervention in a German high-risk sample

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Attachment Theory
• Early Intervention Programs

Background:

• Attachment-based early intervention programs are crucial for supporting at-risk mothers and infants.
• The STEEP (Supportive Environments for Early Parent-Infant Relationships) program, originating from the Minnesota Longitudinal Study on Risk and Adaptation, is a pioneering intervention.
• Previous evaluations showed effects on individual and parenting variables, but not consistently on attachment quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a two-year adaptation of the STEEP program for young mothers at risk for abuse and neglect in Germany.
• To assess the impact of STEEP on mother-infant attachment security and disorganization compared to standard care.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design compared STEEP mother-infant pairs (N=78) with those receiving German Child Welfare System (GCWS) services (N=29).
• Attachment patterns were assessed using Ainsworth's Strange Situation at 12 months and Waters' Attachment Q-Sort at 24 months.
• Signs of attachment disorganization were evaluated at both time points.

Main Results:

• Significantly more STEEP pairs exhibited secure attachment patterns at 12 months compared to GCWS pairs.
• Attachment security scores showed a medium effect size at 24 months, though not statistically significant.
• The STEEP group consistently demonstrated significantly fewer signs of attachment disorganization at both 12 and 24 months.

Conclusions:

• The two-year STEEP adaptation shows promise in enhancing mother-infant attachment security and reducing attachment disorganization in high-risk German families.
• Findings support the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions in improving early parent-infant relationships.
• Further research may explore long-term effects and refine intervention components for optimal outcomes.