Evaluation of a Mother-Infant Dyadic Video-Feedback Intervention in a Community Health Center in South Bronx, New York City

Objective. This study evaluates a video-feedback program's effectiveness in promoting responsive and sensitive parenting for families in care in a community health center located in the South Bronx, New York City. Methods. Change in measures of parent responsiveness/sensitivity (Global Rating Scale), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index-Short Form) were analyzed for mother-infant dyads (N=34) completing a six-session videofeedback program between 2014 and 2016. Results. Participants were primarily mothers of color (30% African American; 63% Hispanic) with young infants (mean age 8 months). At program completion, mothers demonstrated a significant improvement of 19% in maternal responsiveness and fewer depressive and anxious symptoms. Conclusion. Cost-effectiveness studies are needed to compare parenting interventions by setting (community health center, home, or mental health facility) for acceptability and effectiveness to determine best practice models for communities challenged by poverty, trauma, and health disparities.