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

The Parental Skills and Attachment in Early Childhood: Reduction of Risks Linked to Mental Health Problems and Promotion of Resilience Project (CAPEDP) was a demonstration project* funded by the French National Ministry of Health, the French National Institute for Prevention and Health Education, the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research, and the French Public Health Research Institute. It was implemented from 2006 to 2011 by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, the main public university hospital in Paris.

*The information in this profile represents how the model was implemented during the demonstration trial.

In response to an increased number of children living in disadvantaged environments being referred for mental health care, 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.

The target 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.

The model was designed to promote infant mental health by addressing postpartum maternal depression, improving parenting skills, and promoting healthy mother-child attachment.

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) brochures covering a variety of health and mental health topics.

CAPEDP offered families 44 home visits from the third trimester of the mother’s pregnancy to the child’s second birthday. That span of visits was organized into four periods: 6 visits during the prenatal period, 8 visits during the child’s first three months, 15 visits between 4 and 12 months of age, and 15 visits between 13 and 24 months.

The length of each home visit was at least 1.5 hours.

CAPEDP was implemented in Paris, France, and its inner suburbs.

No information was available on any adaptations or enhancements made to CAPEDP.

The information contained on this page was last updated in April 2019 and reviewed for accuracy by Antoine Guédeney and Paris Diderot University on April 3, 2019. HomVEE reserves the right to edit the profile for clarity and consistency.