Use of video feedback intervention in an inpatient perinatal psychiatric setting to improve maternal parenting

Justin L. C. Bilszta, Anne E. Buist, Fandy Wang, Nur Rusydina Zulkefli

This study utilizes video feedback to improve maternal parenting behavior in clinically depressed mothers admitted to a perinatal inpatient psychiatric unit. Depressed mothers (n = 74) were randomized to "video" (n = 25), "verbal" (n = 26), or "standard care" (n = 23). "Video" mothers were taped playing with their infant; interaction was reviewed with a mental health specialist. "Verbal" mothers only discussed interaction with their infant. "Standard care" mothers received only routine inpatient care. Mothers were assessed for mental health status, perceptions of baby behavior, and parenting competence. There was significant improvement in mental health status of all participants, regardless of intervention. Neither intervention had an advantage, compared to standard care, in improving parenting confidence or perceptions of infant behavior. Video mothers were more likely to report no change in their parenting confidence the more feedback sessions completed. The number of intervention sessions for each participant was limited by the duration of their inpatient admission. Most participants were on simultaneous pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, as well as receiving intensive mothercraft assistance; this may have influenced intervention effectiveness. Results suggest that this type of intervention may be beneficial, but in the current format does not add sufficiently to standard care to be detected by the measures used.