« S’attacher pour bien grandir » : résultats préliminaires d’un groupe thérapeutique de guidance parentale et de mise en situation centré sur l’attachement

Abstract

BackgroundPreventive and therapeutic settings are very common in perinatal and early childhood mental health services. However, their theoretical basis, their methods and their efficacy are rarely described. AimsIn this paper, we present and describe the first feedback from parents about a new group therapeutic setting model that relies on parental guidance and practical experiences designed to prevent and to treat attachment-related parent–infant/child problematic issues. MethodThe group is designed to enhance the quality of parent-child attachment by promoting parents’ awareness of the nature and the importance of attachment bonds for child development and parent–child relationship, and by bringing parents and child to experience new interactions that promote child attachment security. The group is led by two psychologists, a pediatric nurse and a childcare assistant. It is designed to receive up to five families referred by a child psychiatrist after a consultation. Children are aged 1 to 3 years old. Parents and children are received for an assessment interview prior and after they complete their participation to the group, including measures of parental stress (PSI-SF), infant relational withdrawal (ADBB), parent-child relationship (PIRGAS), and child social and emotional competences and problems (BITSEA). Families attend six thematic sessions each of which addresses one of the main attachment pillars: sensitivity, reciprocity, engagement, proximity, emotional regulation and support network. Contents are delivered via slides, video clips, group discussions, practical situations and home tasks. Both parents are encouraged to participate. The feedback from the first families (n=17) who attended the group are presented. ResultsPreliminary results on the first families who participated in this group show that all of them were satisfied about the group contents and setting. Most parents reported they have acquired new insights on their child's attachment needs and behaviors, felt more comfortable with regulating their own and their child's emotional needs and expression, and became more able to manage problematic behaviors, separation and conflict situations. Slides, video clips and experiencing practical situations and home tasks were also greatly appreciated. PerspectivesThe preliminary positive feedback from the parents supports the relevance of this new intervention model targeted on attachment issues. The group setting, the concrete materials and the active participation of parents and children promote the awareness of attachment needs and the experience of new and safer parent–child interactions.