Experiences of Mothers Participating in a Mother-Child Video Therapy Program

Area of Science:

• Parenting research
• Child development
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Responsive parenting is linked to better child outcomes and adult well-being.
• Parent-child video-feedback programs improve parenting skills but struggle with participant retention.
• Understanding parental values is key to enhancing program engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the goals, experiences, and perceived outcomes of mothers who completed a video-feedback program.
• To identify key program elements that contribute to parental satisfaction and engagement.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative description methodology was used to analyze exit interview transcripts from 31 mothers.
• Trustworthiness was ensured through deep engagement, iterative analysis, and member checks.

Main Results:

• Mothers sought to understand their child, aid learning, and strengthen their bond.
• Valued program components included therapist support, one-on-one time, practical assistance, and video-recorded play sessions.
• Outcomes included increased caregiver confidence, enhanced parenting sensitivity, improved child behavior, and better maternal mental health.

Conclusions:

• Integrating highly valued program elements can increase parent engagement and retention in video-feedback interventions.
• Healthcare providers can utilize these insights to improve clinical practice and support for parents.