Exploring sensitivity and initiative in a mother-baby dyad with Video Intervention Therapy (VIT): a case study in a high-risk population

Abstract

This preliminary report is a single case study aiming to evaluate the feasibility of Video Intervention Therapy (VIT) in difficult scenarios involving high-risk mother-infant dyads in a housing program for homeless families. The study conducted in Clermont-Ferrand, France, used the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) system. Ruth Feldman's framework and Stuart et al.'s 4-EFA model was applied. Three VIT sessions showcased personalized interventions, aided by the CIB's role in observing and detailing changes. The results showed in this case that maternal insensitivity, characterized by high scores in intrusiveness, interference and directiveness, goes parallel to infant’s affective disconnection and social withdrawal. The VIT and CIB mutually reinforce the team's analysis and intervention perspectives pointing towards the feasibility of the video-intervention. The findings are discussed in relation to the design of future research and the need to include video intervention (VIT) work within the service's team of direct care professionals.