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Proof of concept of a mind–mindedness intervention for mothers hospitalized for severe mental illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2017

Robin Schacht ,
Elizabeth Meins ,
Charles Fernyhough ,
Luna C. M. Centifanti ,
Jean-François Bureau  and
Susan Pawlby
Robin Schacht
Affiliation:
Durham University
Elizabeth Meins*
Affiliation:
University of York
Charles Fernyhough
Affiliation:
Durham University
Luna C. M. Centifanti
Affiliation:
University of Liverpool
Jean-François Bureau
Affiliation:
University of Ottawa
Susan Pawlby
Affiliation:
King's College London
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Elizabeth Meins, Department of Psychology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK; E-mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

Studies 1 and 2 investigated how maternal severe mental illness (SMI) related to mothers’ mind–mindedness (appropriate and nonattuned mind-related comments). Study 1 showed that mothers with SMI (n = 50) scored lower than psychologically well mothers for both appropriate and nonattuned comments, whereas mothers with SMI in Study 2 (n = 22) had elevated levels of nonattuned comments. Study 2 also tested the efficacy of a single-session video-feedback intervention to facilitate mind–mindedness in mothers with SMI. The intervention was associated with a decrease in nonattuned comments, such that on discharge, mothers did not differ from psychologically well controls. Study 3 assessed infant–mother attachment security in a small subset of intervention-group mothers from Study 2 (n = 9) and a separate group of standard care mothers (n = 30) at infant mean age 17.1 months (SD = 2.1). Infants whose mothers completed the intervention were more likely to be securely attached and less likely to be classified as insecure–disorganized than those of mothers who received standard care. We conclude that a single session of video-feedback to facilitate mind–mindedness in mothers with SMI may have benefits for mother–infant interaction into the second year of life.

Type
Special Issue Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 29 , Special Issue 2: Attachment in the Context of Atypical Caregiving: Harnessing Insights From a Developmental Psychopathology Perspective , May 2017 , pp. 555 - 564
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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Footnotes

This research was supported by a Durham University Doctoral Studentship. We thank the mothers for their generous participation.

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