Title
The Effectiveness of an Attachment-Based Intervention in Promoting Foster Mothers’ Sensitivity Toward Foster Infants
Date
2013
Author(s)
Johanna Bick and Mary Dozier
Brief Type
Journal Publication
Model(s)
- Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC)
Description
Infants in foster care need sensitive, responsive caregivers to promote their healthy outcomes. The current study examined the effectiveness of the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention, a short-term, targeted, attachment-based intervention program designed to promote sensitive caregiving behavior among foster mothers. Ninety-six foster mother–infant dyads participated in this study; 44 dyads were assigned to the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention, and 52 dyads were assigned to a control intervention. Results of hierarchical linear modeling indicated that foster mothers who were assigned to the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention showed greater improvements in their sensitivity from pre- to post intervention assessment time points when compared with foster mothers who were assigned to the control intervention. We conclude that a short-term, targeted, attachment-based intervention is effective in changing foster mothers’ responsiveness to their foster infants, which is critical for foster infants’ healthy socioemotional adjustment. (author abstract)
Data Collection Methods
- Home Visit Observations
Status
Finished
For More Information
Bick, J., & Dozier, M. (2013). The effectiveness of an attachment-based intervention in promoting foster mothers' sensitivity toward foster infants. Infant Mental Health Journal, 34(2), 95–103. DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21373
Author Contact Information:
Mary Dozier
mdozier@udel.edu
Topics
- Participant, Family, and Program Outcomes