Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Parent and practitioner perspectives on Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P): A qualitative study
Anne-Marie Maxwell1, Rebecca E Reay2, Anna Huber1
1Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Insights
Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P) helps parents view their child, themselves, and their relationship with increased empathy and confidence. This qualitative study explored facilitator and parent experiences to understand program impact and guide future research.
Area of Science:
- Parenting research
- Attachment theory
- Child development
Background:
- Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P) is a widely adopted, attachment-theory-informed program for parents of young children.
- Limited evidence exists on COS-P's effectiveness, impacting informed decision-making and funding.
- Australia has seen widespread COS-P uptake, making it a key location for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences and perceptions of COS-P facilitators and parents in Australia.
- To identify factors contributing to the program's impact.
- To address the evidence gap regarding COS-P effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study design.
- Thematic analysis of data from 20 COS-P facilitators and 14 parent recipients.
- Combined data from interviews and focus groups.
Main Results:
- Participants perceived COS-P shifts parents' views of their child, self, and the parent-child relationship.
- This shift was linked to increased parental empathy, compassion, and confidence.
- Key program components for impact included content, skills practice, group processes, and facilitator support.
Conclusions:
- COS-P appears to foster positive changes in parenting perspectives and confidence.
- The program's core components are crucial for its perceived effectiveness.
- Findings can inform clinical practice and future empirical research on COS-P.
Abstract:
Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P) is an attachment-theory-informed program for parents of infants and young children. Designed for scalability, COS-P has been widely adopted internationally. Evidence for the program's effectiveness is limited, however, restricting capacity to make informed decisions about program allocation, and threatening ongoing program funding. To help address this evidence gap, this qualitative study explored the experiences and perceptions of 20 COS-P facilitators and 14 parent recipients in Australia, where COS-P uptake has been particularly widespread. Thematic analysis of combined interview and focus group data revealed a perception that COS-P primarily changes the lens through which parents view (a) their child, (b) themselves in the parenting role, and (c) the parent-child relationship, and that this was a pathway to increased empathy, compassion, and parenting confidence. Participants identified four components that underpinned program impact: key content, skills practice, group processes, and facilitator support. Although COS-P was considered suitable for broad application, limitations were noted. Findings can guide clinical application of COS-P and inform empirical research.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
01:28Relationship with Parents: Attachment
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
01:24Attachment Styles
01:20Attachment
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience