Preliminary results concerning the effectiveness of early intervention from the STEEP™ practice research project"WiEge"

Preliminary results of the attachment based STEEP (TM) (Steps toward effective and enjoy able parenting) research practice project WiEge are presented Within a multisite, longitudinal intervention study young high risk mothers enrolled in the 2 year STEEP (TM) pro gram have developed significantly more se cure attachment relationships with their 1 year old children compared to mothers of the control group who received the standard support as usual in the German welfare system Age of mothers at birth of their children educational level single motherhood status and mental health diagnoses indicate that both groups are comparable A global mea sure of risk status indicates that mothers of the STEEP (TM) group confront even more risks than control group mothers Additional data on depression (Edinburgh postnatal depression scale EPDS) parenting stress (PSI) or risky parental attitudes (Adult Adolescent Parenting Interview (R), AAPI) are being presented and discussed with regard to the differences found being an effect of the STEEP (TM) program Since the focus of the STEEPT (TM) pro gram is on empirically validated mechanisms in attachment development, it is also important that the results are in line with attachment theory At the same time we did not find significant group differences with regard to attachment disorganization Supporting mothers in being more sensitive and to improve on reflective functioning - as being done in STEEP (TM)-does not seem to be sufficient to prevent attachment disorganization as others studies have also shown Al though based on small sample sizes the re suits are informative for improving intervention strategies which need to focus more on the developmental process underlying attachment disorganization i e unusual parental behavior