This dissertation focused on the role of attachment-based interventions in child protection cases involving young children. The results confirmed that placement decisions are impacted by subjective... Show moreThis dissertation focused on the role of attachment-based interventions in child protection cases involving young children. The results confirmed that placement decisions are impacted by subjective factors, including professionals’ own attitudes and mind-set. Because we argue that the influence of subjective factors can be reduced by inserting relevant evidence into the decision-making process, we tested the effectiveness of one procedure that might produce such information. Evidence for the notion that implementing an attachment-based intervention in parenting capacity assessments can enhance the quality of placement decisions was partially found in this dissertation: We found initial evidence for improved reliability, but not for improved validity, of placement decisions. Taking these findings together with international evidence, we do tentatively conclude that attachment-based interventions can contribute to an improved quality of placement decisions. However, more research is needed to determine what implementation would be most fruitful in the Dutch child protection context. Finally, our finding that maltreating parents with more severe levels of childhood trauma benefited less from an attachment-based intervention implicates that we need to consider families’ individual needs when conducting interventions in this setting. This way, not only more parents will benefit from these interventions, their responses to these interventions might also be a more valid source of information to support placement decisions. Show less
Research is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents' own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects.... Show moreResearch 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. Show less
Research is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents' own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects.... Show moreResearch 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. Show less
Research is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents' own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects.... Show moreResearch 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. Show less
Even though Parenting Capacity Assessments (PCAs) are essential for child protection services to support placement decisions for maltreating families, presently no evidence-based PCA protocols are... Show moreEven though Parenting Capacity Assessments (PCAs) are essential for child protection services to support placement decisions for maltreating families, presently no evidence-based PCA protocols are available. In this randomized controlled trial, we tested the quality of an attachment-based PCA protocol based on Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD). We recruited 56 parent-child dyads (M(age)children = 3.48 years) in Dutch family residential clinics that conduct PCAs to support placement decisions. After pretest, families were randomized to receive the Regular Assessment Procedure (RAP) (n= 28), or an additional assessment based on VIPP-SD (n= 28). An immediate post-test and a 10-month follow-up were conducted. Multilevel models showed that therapists felt equally confident about their recommendations regarding child placement for both groups and that they equally often modified their initial placement recommendations. Moreover, children in the VIPP-SD group did not show fewer behavior problems and did not experience recurring child maltreatment less often than children in the RAP group. Thus, we found no evidence that PCAs incorporating the VIPP-SD protocol outperformed PCAs as usual. We discuss possible explanations why in the current study VIPP-SD did not seem to add to the quality of the RAP. Show less
Even though Parenting Capacity Assessments (PCAs) are essential for child protection services to support placement decisions for maltreating families, presently no evidence-based PCA protocols are... Show moreEven though Parenting Capacity Assessments (PCAs) are essential for child protection services to support placement decisions for maltreating families, presently no evidence-based PCA protocols are available. In this randomized controlled trial, we tested the quality of an attachment-based PCA protocol based on Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD). We recruited 56 parent-child dyads (M(age)children = 3.48 years) in Dutch family residential clinics that conduct PCAs to support placement decisions. After pretest, families were randomized to receive the Regular Assessment Procedure (RAP) (n= 28), or an additional assessment based on VIPP-SD (n= 28). An immediate post-test and a 10-month follow-up were conducted. Multilevel models showed that therapists felt equally confident about their recommendations regarding child placement for both groups and that they equally often modified their initial placement recommendations. Moreover, children in the VIPP-SD group did not show fewer behavior problems and did not experience recurring child maltreatment less often than children in the RAP group. Thus, we found no evidence that PCAs incorporating the VIPP-SD protocol outperformed PCAs as usual. We discuss possible explanations why in the current study VIPP-SD did not seem to add to the quality of the RAP. Show less
Decisions regarding out-of-home placement of children are complicated and of high impact for children and parents. Previous studies show low agreement between professionals on these decisions, and... Show moreDecisions regarding out-of-home placement of children are complicated and of high impact for children and parents. Previous studies show low agreement between professionals on these decisions, and research regarding the influence of characteristics of decision-makers on the content of the decisions taken remains inconclusive. This study explored the relation between general and psychological characteristics of 144 professionals (child welfare professionals, children’s court judges, and master students) using vignettes and questionnaires. Professionals’ mind-set regarding the ability of parents to achieve change (parent-specific mind-set) and their attitude toward the harmfulness of out-of-home placements were related to their decision-making. General decision-maker factors (the professional’s background and work experience), the mind-set toward the ability of people in general to change (dispositional mind-set), and professionals’ attitude toward the effectiveness of out-of-home placements were not related to their decisions. This field of practice needs to reflect on the role of implicit beliefs in making placement decisions about children. Show less
Haan, W.D. de; Asdonk, S. van der; Forder, C.J.; Berkel, S.R. van; Alink, L.R.A. 2019
Out-of-home placement decisions are complex and have a high impact on the lives of children and their parents. This study investigated whether information regarding parents' response to an... Show moreOut-of-home placement decisions are complex and have a high impact on the lives of children and their parents. This study investigated whether information regarding parents' response to an attachment-based intervention impacted placement decisions and agreement among decision-makers. We presented 144 professionals and Master students with vignettes reflecting child protection cases. In addition to the standard information, half of these vignettes included a description of parents' response to an attachment-based intervention. Participants were asked to read four vignettes (randomly selected out of sixteen) and to indicate whether they would advise an out-of-home placement. Generalized Estimating Equations showed that overall, participants did not converge more in their decisions for vignettes that included a description of parents' response to an attachment-based intervention than for vignettes that contained only standard information. However, the description did increase agreement when the vignettes reflected more ambiguous cases or when parents' described response was positive. Negative descriptions of parents' response increased agreement for Master students, but not for professionals. These findings provide initial evidence that information regarding parents' response to an attachment-based intervention may enhance the quality of placement decisions. Show less
