Abstract
Review Paper: AbstractThis paper aims to provide an overview of the research carried out into the area of parent - child relationships and the range of interventions aimed at enhancing them. Beginning first with a brief introduction to the theory of attachment (Bowlby, 1951, 1969; Ainsworth, 1963), the paper then discusses the broad concept of sensitivity and then the related, but more specific, concepts of mind- mindedness and mentalisation. Research into a number of key interventions designed to improve parent-child relationships is then reviewed, with particular attention paid to the application of the interventions with maltreating, vulnerable families. The paper then focuses on one of these interventions. Video Interaction Guidance (VIG), and provides an overview of the intervention followed by a review of the research into its effectiveness. A summary of the paper’s findings is then presented, concluding with the identification of research questions to be addressed by the present study.
Empirical Paper: Abstract
The overall aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) within a family context, and to gain a better understanding of the underlying reasons for its success. It investigates the impact of VIG on parental sensitivity and attunement, mind-minded interactions and parental mentalisation abilities. Parental experiences of participating in a VIG programme are explored. This study is the first to investigate the impact of VIG on mind- minded interactions between parents and their children and parental mentalisation abilities, and the first in Northern Ireland (NI) to involve families in which there are concerns about, or there is evidence of, child neglect.
| Date of Award | Jul 2014 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | John Eakin (Supervisor) |