Abstract
BackgroundInequality in health can have profound short- and long-term effects on a child’s life. Infants develop in a responsive environment, and the relationship between mother and infant begins to develop during pregnancy. The mother’s ability to bond with the fetus and newborn child may be challenged by mental health issues which can cause impaired functioning and poorer health outcomes. Families with complex problems need interdisciplinary interventions starting in early pregnancy to be prepared for motherhood and to ensure healthy child development. This study aims to examine the effects of an early and coordinated intervention (the Family Clinic and Municipality (FACAM) intervention) offered to vulnerable pregnant women during pregnancy and the child’s first year of life on the mother-child relationship, maternal social functioning, mental health, reflective functioning, well-being, parental stress, and the development and well-being of the child.MethodsThe study is a prospective randomized controlled trial where we will randomize 320 pregnant women enrolled to receive antenatal care at the family clinic at Odense University Hospital, to either FACAM intervention or usual care. The FACAM intervention consists of extra support by a health nurse or family therapist during pregnancy and until the child starts school. The intervention is most intensive in the first 12 months and also includes attachment-based support provided either individually or in groups. The participants are assessed at baseline, and when the infant is 3 and 12 months old. The primary outcome is maternal sensitivity measured by the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) instrument. Secondary outcomes include prenatal parental reflective functioning, mental well-being, depressive symptoms, breastfeeding duration, maternal satisfaction, child development, parent competence, parental stress, and activities with the child.DiscussionThe trial is expected to contribute knowledge about the effect of early coordinated support in antenatal and postnatal care for vulnerable pregnant women and their families.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03659721. Registered on September 6, 2018
Highlights
Inequality in health can have profound short- and long-term effects on a child’s life
Infants develop in a responsive environment characterized by nurturing, consistent, and protective interactions with adults [3] and children exposed to neglect or abuse during pregnancy and the first years of life can experience long-term consequences such as poorer health, attachment problems, developmental problems, mental health issues, and poorer educational outcomes than other children [4,5,6,7,8]
This paper describes in detail the protocol for a randomized controlled trial that aims to investigate the effectiveness of the interdisciplinary Family Clinic And Municipality (FACAM) intervention offered to vulnerable pregnant women on the motherchild relationship, maternal social functioning, mental health, reflective functioning, well-being, parental stress, and the development and well-being of the child
Summary
Inequality in health can have profound short- and long-term effects on a child’s life. Infants develop in a responsive environment characterized by nurturing, consistent, and protective interactions with adults [3] and children exposed to neglect or abuse during pregnancy and the first years of life can experience long-term consequences such as poorer health, attachment problems, developmental problems, mental health issues, and poorer educational outcomes than other children [4,5,6,7,8]. Mental health difficulties can cause significant distress and impaired functioning in the mother which is associated with poorer obstetric outcomes such as preterm labor and low birth weight [11,12,13] Experiencing childhood trauma such as neglect and abuse can affect child and adult physical and mental health [14]. Women who have experienced childhood neglect have a higher risk of neglecting their children [15,16,17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
