Supporting responsive parenting in real-world implementation: minimal effective dose of the Video Interaction Project

Background: The Video Interaction Project (VIP) is a healthcare-based intervention that provides real-time video-feedback of parent-child play and reading interactions to families with children aged 0 to 36 months. Although evidence from randomized controlled trials demonstrates improved early relational health, including responsive parenting, after three to five VIP visits, the minimal effective dose in real-world implementations is unknown. This study aimed to determine the minimal effective dose of VIP during a real-world implementation for changing responsive parenting behaviors.Methods: We performed a longitudinal prospective study of 183 dyads at a public hospital pediatric clinic. Responsive parenting behaviors were assessed with an observational checklist utilized as part of standard VIP practice at baseline and two follow-up VIP visits.Results: Multilevel models adjusted for baseline sociodemographics (child's sex and age, and maternal education) and time between visits showed that responsive parenting behaviors during parent-child reading and play significantly increased after a single VIP visit (Cohen's d = 0.52, p < 0.05) with additional impact following completion of a second visit (cumulative for 2 visits: d = 0.76, p < 0.05).Conclusions: A single VIP visit is associated with increased responsive parenting behaviors. Findings support offering VIP widely, regardless of capacity to ensure attendance at multiple visits.

Automated summary

This study shows that a single visit to the Video Interaction Project (VIP) can significantly increase responsive parenting behaviors, and a second visit further enhances the impact. Therefore, VIP should be offered widely, regardless of the ability to attend multiple visits.