Improving parent–child interactions in maltreating families with the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention: Parental childhood trauma as a moderator of treatment effects

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents’ own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects. The current study investigated in a sample of maltreating families whether effects of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) on parent–child interactive quality were moderated by parental childhood trauma. Families were randomized to receive AVI (n = 29) or a Psychoeducative intervention (PI; n = 19), or they were in anon-randomized comparison group (RS; n = 40). Parents filled out the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and videotapes of parent–child interactions were coded for interactive quality. Parents who received AVI showed improved parent–child interactive quality compared to parents in PI and RS groups. However, parents with more severe levels of childhood trauma showed less improvements. Future research should explore whether clinical attention with a specific focus on trauma would increase treatement effects.