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Sensitivity and attachment interventions in early childhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Gary Mountain1, Jane Cahill1, Helen Thorpe2

  • 1School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

Infant Behavior & Development
|November 22, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Early interventions significantly enhance attachment security and reduce disorganized attachment in children. These programs also show effectiveness in improving maternal sensitivity, supporting positive early development.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Attachment security and parental sensitivity are crucial for child development.
  • Early interventions aim to support caregivers and improve parent-child relationships.
  • Previous research suggests positive outcomes for early intervention programs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on early interventions.
  • To assess the effectiveness of interventions in improving attachment security and parental sensitivity.
  • To synthesize evidence from studies conducted with children under 36 months of age.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs published from 2002-2015.
  • Inclusion of interventions delivered to mothers, fathers, or carers via 1:1 support, group work, or guided self-help.
  • Data analysis using Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio for dichotomous data and standardized mean differences for continuous data.

Main Results:

  • Four studies met the inclusion criteria, categorized into North American/Canadian and South African groups.
  • Combined data indicate that early interventions improve attachment security and reduce disorganized attachment.
  • One study demonstrated improved maternal sensitivity at 6 and 12 months post-intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Early interventions are effective in enhancing children's attachment security.
  • These programs positively impact rates of disorganized attachment.
  • Evidence supports the efficacy of early interventions in improving maternal sensitivity, consistent with prior reviews.

Keywords:
AttachmentEarly interventionsParental sensitivitySystematic review

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