Marte Meo Counselling given to African caregivers of institutionalised infants a three-case study

Background: Studies from Western countries state that video interaction guidance programmes can support caregiver sensitivity in infant-caregiver dyads. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if Marte Meo, which is such a programme, could contribute to increasing emotional and social support towards motherless infants at an institution for motherless infants in rural Africa. Method: Three caregivers participated in five Marte Meo Counselling sessions. The first guidance naive film and the last film were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively and organised according to two supportive categories: 1) caregiver responds to infants' initiative, 2) caregiver takes initiative to supportive interaction, and two non-supportive: 3) caregiver behaves in an intrusive manner and 4) caregiver does not respond to the infants' initiative. Results: After receiving Marte Meo Counselling, all three caregivers showed impressive augmentation of awareness and sensitivity in their care towards the infants' emotional and social needs. Conclusion: We found indications that professional caregivers of institutionalised infants in an African country can profit on Marte Meo Counselling, showing positive effects on augmenting caregivers' sensitivity towards the infants, and thereby meet the infants' need of emotional and social support.