Testing the ATTACH Parenting Program Added to Usual Care for Parents Facing Psychosocial Challenges with Children Aged 0 to 5 Years

What this Trial Is About

This trial investigates the feasibility of a parenting program called ATTACHTM designed to improve mentalizing skillsthe ability to reflect on thoughts and feelingsin parents of children aged 0 to 5 years. It aims to find out if parents are willing to participate in the program, complete most sessions, and whether the program increases parental mentalizing skills compared to usual treatment. The study is conducted in three municipal family treatment centers and focuses on families receiving support for psychosocial problems. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will receive the 10-session ATTACHTM program in addition to the usual family support services, while the other group will receive only the usual care provided by local social and healthcare systems. ATTACH involves weekly 45-60 minute sessions that include video reviews of parent-child interactions, reflection exercises on hypothetical and real-life situations, and use of supportive materials. Usual care may include various parenting support and therapeutic services tailored to family needs. During the study, parents will complete surveys, interviews, and video observations at the start and five months after starting treatment to assess mentalizing skills and other family and child outcomes. The research team will also follow up one year later to check on ongoing treatment or support needs. The study measures include parental reflective functioning, parent-child interaction quality, child development, parental depression, and family functioning among others.

ATTACH in Denmark: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial