Abstract Sensitivity is a cornerstone of early childhood mental health; however, its measurement relies heavily on tools developed in English‐speaking, high‐resource contexts. This systematic review identified observational and report‐based instruments used to assess sensitivity in caregivers of children aged 0–6 years. It evaluated the methodological robustness and usability of these instruments within Latin American contexts. Following a systematic search in Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo, and Redalyc, 732 eligible studies were identified. Based on a frequency‐of‐use threshold, 16 instruments (14 observational and 2 report‐based) represented across 616 papers were selected for in‐depth evaluation. Measures were coded for theoretical alignment with Ainsworth's sensitivity definition, psychometric evidence, and usability—specifically training accessibility, administration complexity, and evidence of use with diverse Latin American populations (e.g., caregivers in rural settings or with lower educational levels). Results revealed that only a minority of measures adhered explicitly to Ainsworth's original definition. Most instruments prioritized warmth and positive affect, potentially leading to cross‐cultural underdetection in contexts where responsiveness is expressed through proximity and routine‐based care. While observational tools predominated, report‐based measures showed limited validation and minimal regional use. These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally grounded validation and the development of accessible training programs for the region.
Abstract Maternal representations of the child begin forming during pregnancy and evolve through interactions with the baby. Research suggests that prenatal representations may have a more stable impact on parenting than postnatal representations, but their long‐term impact remains unclear. This study examines (1) how prenatal and 1‐year postnatal representations are associated with parenting when child is age 4 and (2) whether prenatal representations have a more enduring influence on later caregiving than postnatal representations by exploring how stability or shifts in representations across time shape parenting. One hundred fifty‐five US mothers, oversampled for intimate partner violence and low income, participated in this longitudinal study. Prenatal balanced representations were significantly associated with more sensitive and less unresponsive parenting, whereas disengaged representations were linked to lower sensitivity and greater unresponsiveness. Postnatal representations predicted sensitive parenting but were not significantly associated with intrusive or unresponsive behaviors. Examination of changes in prenatal to postnatal representations revealed that mothers who shifted from balanced (prenatal) to non‐balanced (postnatal) representations displayed higher sensitivity than those who remained non‐balanced. Results highlight the consistent impact of prenatal representations on parenting, emphasizing the need for timely interventions during pregnancy and the early postpartum period to promote positive parenting.
Parents who have experienced childhood maltreatment may develop posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms and display disrupted parenting behavior, particularly in situations of revictimization through intimate partner violence (IPV). This study investigated (1) the relation between parental childhood maltreatment, PTS symptoms, and disrupted parenting, and (2) whether PTS symptoms mediate the relation between childhood maltreatment and disrupted parenting. A culturally diverse sample of IPV-exposed mothers participated (N = 52; Mage = 30.6 years) and their children (Mage = 2.8 years; range = 7.5 months-7.0 years), residing in Dutch women's shelters. Multiple Bayesian regression analyses were carried out, and prior probability distributions (priors) were used, informed by a systematic literature search. Results showed a positive association between childhood maltreatment and PTS symptoms but not between these variables and the overall construct of disrupted parenting. No meaningful mediation was found. Exploratory analyses showed some inconclusive evidence for mediation of PTS symptoms in the associations between'childhood maltreatment on the one hand and role/boundary confusion and fearful/disoriented parenting behavior on the other hand. The findings highlight the relevance of childhood maltreatment in the experience of PTS symptoms. Furthermore, they underscore the need for treatment focused on trauma and parenting in families exposed to IPV. Clinical trial registration: Ethical approval was given by the Medical Research Ethics Committee Leiden The Hague Delft (MREC LDD, protocol number NL74114.058.20) and the study was pre-registered in the Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/9EW7P).
The Circle of Security-Parenting program (COS-P) is a widely disseminated attachment and mentalization-informed parenting intervention. Outcome studies, however, have yielded mixed results and its effectiveness for parents from different demographic groups is largely unknown. This study examined the outcomes of COS-P and explored parent demographics (mother/father status and education). Participants were 117 parents who attended COS-P at an Australian Early Parenting Center. The Composite Caregiving Questionnaire (CCQ) assessed caregiving representations (self-efficacy regarding emotion/affection and empathy/understanding, hostility, caregiving helplessness, and parental reflective functioning). Outcomes were analyzed using a mixed model repeated measures design. Results revealed significant post-intervention improvement on all CCQ domains, with some demographic differences. Fathers reported a greater rate of improvement in parental self-efficacy regarding empathy and understanding compared to mothers, after starting from a lower level. There were no differences in any outcomes between parents who were university-educated and those who were not. Findings provide further evidence that COS-P improves caregiving representations, but there may be some differences for mothers and fathers.
Caregivers play a critical role in early child development, yet adverse experiences such as trauma or mental health difficulties can compromise caregiving. Minding the Baby (MTB) is a home-visiting intervention supporting vulnerable families from pregnancy to the child's second birthday. This study explored parents' experiences to understand engagement and barriers to participation. Within a Danish MTB trial, 31 semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with parents who completed, discontinued, or declined MTB. Data were analyzed thematically. Eight themes were identified: (1) Validation and Support in Early Parenthood, (2) Community Mobilization, (3) Divergent Perspectives within Couples, (4) Therapeutic Alliance and Home Visitors' Skills, (5) Intervention as Time Consuming or Confusing, (6) Fear of Surveillance, (7) Not Identifying with the Target Group, and (8) When MTB Is Not Enough. Most parents valued parenting confidence-building, relational support, and flexible delivery. Barriers included mistrust, surveillance concerns, scheduling constraints (especially for fathers), perceptions of not belonging to the target group due to feeling "too well-functioning", associated stigma, and limits of program scope. Parents found MTB broadly acceptable and supportive, highlighting the importance of transparent communication, flexible scheduling, and father engagement. Findings offer insights for recruitment, tailoring, and implementation of home-visiting programs.
