Promoting Parental Skills and Enhancing Attachment in Early Childhood (CAPEDP) Trial

Model effectiveness research report last updated: 2019

Model overview

Theoretical approach

In response to an increased number of children living in disadvantaged environments being referred for mental health care, the Parental Skills and Attachment in Early Childhood: Reduction of Risks Linked to Mental Health Problems and Promotion of Resilience Project (CAPEDP) was developed to promote infant mental health and reduce the incidence of infant mental health problems. CAPEDP drew on the framework from the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) model and Integrated Services for Perinatal Health and Early Childhood, a Canadian adaptation of the NFP. The model was based on Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model of human development, and Bowlby’s attachment theory. CAPEDP was implemented within and designed to supplement the French system of free public mother-child support and prevention services.

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Model services

Psychologists provided home visits that focused on four themes: (1) the family and its social and cultural network, (2) the mother’s needs and health, (3) creating a safe and stimulating environment for the baby, and (4) the baby’s development. The specific content of the visits varied over the course of the intervention period (with different content offered in the prenatal, 0 to 6 months, 6 to 15 months, and 15 to 24 months periods). Home visitors tailored the visits to the varying needs of each family.

The home visitor recorded a video of the mother and child interacting during daily routines, such as bath and meal time. During the following visit, the home visitor and mother discussed the video together and the home visitor helped the mother reflect on her parenting practices.

To guide the visits, the home visitors used (1) a series of six DVDs on topics such as pregnancy, child care, and child development; and (2) a set of 39 brochures covering a variety of health and mental health topics related to promoting parent-child relationships.

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Intended population

The intended population included mothers who were younger than 26 years old, were less than 27 weeks pregnant, and spoke French fluently enough to actively participate in CAPEDP. Eligible participants also had to meet one or more of the following risk factors: had less than 12 years of education, qualified for free health care based on low-income status, or intended to raise the child in the absence of the father.

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Where to find out more

Antoine Guédeney
Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Hôpital Bichat Claude Bernard124 blv NEY
Paris, France 75018

Email: antoine.guedeney@bch.aphp.fr

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