sesam project B: "Experimental variation of family socialisation factors: Their significance for the child’s development"

NCCR Project

Childrens at risk for behavior and mental disorders is related to an interaction of different negative conditions (genetic vulnerability, negative developmental factors, unfavourable social environment) and protective factors (Spence, 1998). Within the family, two main risk factors are known (Kraemer et al., 1997): a) deficits in mother’s responsiveness and b) frequent exposure to marital distress of the parents. The child’s vulnerability for developmental problems is increased by insecure inner working models, which are linked to deficits in mother’s responsiveness or sensitivity, respectively. Marital conflict creates a tense family atmosphere (latent hostility, aggression, violence) and increases the experience of stress in children. In addition, marital distress is significantly associated p.e. with more inadequate parenting and more conflicts about parenting. Due to well evaluated prevention programs, enhancement of, both, mother's sensitivity and marital quality are considered to be possible. Strengthening marital and parenting competencies should positively influence the well-being of the parents, the family functioning and thereby the well-being of the children. In consequence, the child’s incidence rate for behavior or mental disorders should decrease.

As we have only limited evidence that these preventive interventions can also lower the incidence rate of child disorders, it's the aim of this study to fill this gap. It is to be examined by systematic experimental variation of the mentioned risk factors in a randomized control-group-design whether the planned family-oriented intervention programs are capable: 

• to enhance the parental and marital competencies and their well-being in the intended risk-sample
• to improve the family functioning and child well-being
• and to reduce the incidence rate of child disorders.
   

Following programs will be used:

• Sensitivity training for mothers using video-feedback (Bakermans-Kranenburg, Juffer & van Ijzendoorn, 1998)
• Couples Coping Enhancement Program (Bodenmann, 1997, 2000).
   

Links
Official website of the core study: www.sesamswiss.ch
Website of sesam project B: http://fns.unifr.ch/ske/

Conducted by
Prof. Guy Bodenmann and Prof. Meinrad Perrez, University of Fribourg (Switzerland)