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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry
Sec. Developmental Psychopathology and Mental Health
Volume 3 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/frcha.2024.1395363
This article is part of the Research Topic Rising Stars in Developmental Psychopathology and Mental Health: 2024 View all 3 articles

The Mellow Babies parenting programme: role of group processes and interpersonal change mechanisms

Provisionally accepted
Jessica Tanner Jessica Tanner 1*Philip Wilson Philip Wilson 1,2Daniel Wight Daniel Wight 3Lucy Thompson Lucy Thompson 1
  • 1 University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
  • 2 University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
  • 3 MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (MRC), Glasgow, United Kingdom

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: Group-based parenting programmes have specific mechanisms of change compared to individual delivery. The Mechanisms of Action in Group-based Interventions framework (MAGI; [1]) distinguishes between interpersonal and intrapersonal mechanisms of change. This paper articulates a theory of change for Mellow Babies, a 14-week attachment-based group parenting programme for mothers of infants aged under 18 months, identifying the inter and intrapersonal change processes. Methods: Thirty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with mothers and practitioners who participated in Mellow Babies, including twenty post-group interviews and nine telephone fidelity checks. Data were analysed using Deductive Qualitative Analysis based on the components identified within the MAGI framework. Results: Key interpersonal change mechanisms included: 1. Normalisation through social comparisons; 2. Validation and cognitive reframing through group feedback; 3. Peer support, offering accountability for the implementation of new habits, and providing opportunities to give and receive advice; and 4. Social and experiential learning, including internalisation of group responses leading to increased self-compassion. Intrapersonal change mechanisms were: 1. Developing new self-insight, including parenting self-awareness; 2. Increasing parenting knowledge and understanding of infant development; 3. Having time and space for self; 4. Motivation to implement new habits. Interpersonal change mechanisms had a moderating role on intrapersonal change mechanisms and subsequent programme outcomes. Discussion: The contribution of group processes and interpersonal mechanisms of change are often overlooked within programme evaluations. Findings from this study implicate their mediating role on intrapersonal change mechanisms and subsequent programme outcomes. It is important for programme deliverers and evaluators to understand the interrelationships between group processes, change mechanisms and programme outcomes to optimise efficacy and ensure cross-contextual replicability.

    Keywords: parenting programmes, group-based interventions, Group processes, Mechanisms of change, Maternal wellbeing, mother-infant relationship

    Received: 03 Mar 2024; Accepted: 30 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Tanner, Wilson, Wight and Thompson. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Jessica Tanner, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.