The Circle of Security Parenting Program (COS-P): A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Low Intensity, Individualized...

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Attachment Theory
• Intervention Studies

Background:

• The Circle of Security-Parenting Intervention (COS-P) is a widely disseminated psychoeducational program for caregivers.
• It is grounded in attachment theory, aiming to enhance caregiver-child relationships and child well-being through computer-delivered content and parent reflection.
• This study addresses the need for evidence on COS-P's effectiveness with at-risk families experiencing parenting distress and child disruptive behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the individually delivered Circle of Security-Parenting Intervention (COS-P) compared to a waitlist control.
• To assess the impact of COS-P on various caregiver and child outcomes, including attachment, parenting stress, and child symptoms.
• To provide evidence regarding the efficacy of COS-P for improving outcomes in at-risk families.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 85 Australian caregivers reporting parenting distress and child disruptive behaviors.
• Participants were assigned to either the COS-P intervention group (n=51) or a waitlist control group (n=34).
• Assessments of child symptoms, parenting stress, attachment anxiety/avoidance, reflective functioning, parenting practices, and depressive symptoms were conducted at baseline and post-intervention/waitlist period.

Main Results:

• While no baseline differences were observed, analyses of complete data indicated a greater reduction in caregiver attachment anxiety and negative parenting in the COS-P group compared to the waitlist control.
• Intent-to-treat analyses revealed significant reductions in attachment anxiety for the COS-P group.
• Other observed improvements were not significantly different between the COS-P and waitlist conditions, with overall effects being small and infrequently significant.

Conclusions:

• The individually delivered Circle of Security-Parenting Intervention (COS-P) demonstrated limited and rarely significant effects on improving outcomes for at-risk caregivers and their children.
• While some reductions in attachment anxiety and negative parenting were noted, the small effect sizes suggest caution in its application.
• The findings highlight the need to explore and consider alternative intervention programs with stronger evidence of effectiveness for supporting at-risk families.