Family wellbeing in general practice: a study protocol for a cluster-randomised trial of the web-based resilience programme on early child development

Background Social, emotional and behavioural problems in early childhood are associated with increased risk for a wide range of poor outcomes associated with substantial cost and impact on society as a whole. Some of these problems are rooted in the early mother-infant relationship and might be prevented. In Denmark, primary health care has a central role in preventive care during pregnancy and the first years of the child's life and general practice provides opportunities to promote a healthy mother-infant relationship in early parenthood. ObjectiveIn the context of standardised antenatal and child development assessments focused on psychosocial wellbeing, we examine the impact of a complex intervention designed to improve maternal mentalisation skills, involving training of general practice clinicians and signposting towards a web-based resource. Joint main outcomes are child socio-emotional and language development at age 30 months measured by parentally reported questionnaires (Communicative Development Inventory and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). MethodsThe study is a cluster-randomised controlled trial based in general practices in the Capital Region and the Zealand Region of Denmark. Seventy practices were included. Practices were randomised by a computer algorithm in a ratio of 1:1 to intervention or control groups. Each practice was asked to recruit up to 30 women consecutively at their first scheduled antenatal assessment. Clinicians in both groups received one day of training in preventive antenatal and child development consultations with added focus on parental psychosocial well-being, social support, and parent-child interaction. These preventive consultations delivered in both trial arms require enhanced data recording about psychosocial factors. In intervention clinics, clinicians were asked to signpost a web page at three scheduled antenatal consultations and at four scheduled consultations when the child is 5 weeks, 5 months, 1 and 2 years. DiscussionWe hypothesise that the intervention will increase mothers' ability to be sensitive to their child's mental state to an extent that improves the child's language and mental state at 30 months of age measured by parent-reported questionnaires.

Automated summary

This article introduces a complex intervention aimed at improving maternal mentalisation skills and promoting a healthy mother-infant relationship in early parenthood. The study is a cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted in general practices in Denmark. The main outcomes measure child socio-emotional and language development at 30 months using parentally reported questionnaires.