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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We explored mothers' and clinicians' experiences of a video feedback intervention adapted for perinatal 'personality disorder' (VIPP-PMH) and the acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining its effectiveness.

DESIGN: In-depth qualitative interviews with participants from a two-phase feasibility study of the VIPP-PMH intervention. Participants were mothers experiencing enduring difficulties in managing emotions and relationships, consistent with a 'personality disorder', and their 6- to 36-month-old children.

METHODS: Forty-four qualitative interviews were conducted, including all nine mothers receiving VIPP-PMH during the pilot phase, 25 of the 34 mothers participating in the RCT (14 allocated to the VIPP-PMH arm and 9 from the control arm), 11 of the 12 clinicians delivering VIPP-PMH and one researcher. Interview data were thematically analysed.

RESULTS: Mothers described feeling motivated to take part in the research and understood the need for randomisation. Research visits were largely experienced positively, with some suggestions for improvement in questionnaire timing and accessibility. Almost all mothers initially felt anxious about being filmed, but reported positive experiences of the intervention, particularly valuing its non-judgemental, positive and child-focussed nature, their supportive relationship with the therapist and the insights they gained on their child.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate the likely feasibility and acceptability of undertaking a future definitive RCT of the VIPP-PMH intervention in this population. In designing a future trial, a positive and non-judgemental therapeutic relationship will be important to allay mothers' anxieties about being filmed, and careful consideration should be given to the timing and accessibility of questionnaires used.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2023 The Authors. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Publisher Keywords:	infant mental health, parent–infant intervention, perinatal mental health, randomised controlled trial
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Healthcare Services Research & Management
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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