Mental health articles

Infant–parent interaction Observation of the quality of the relationship with the infant is a central part of assessing risk. The interaction reflects the parent’s current nurturing capacity and ability to respond sensitively and appropriately to the infant’s cues, as well as the infant’s ability to accept and respond to parental care. The daily routines of […]

Parenting capacity Parenting capacity can be briefly summarised as the capacity to recognise and meet the infant’s changing physical, social and emotional needs in a developmentally appropriate way, and to accept responsibility for this. It is determined by: • parental factors (and the infant–parent relationship) • infant factors (and the infant–parent relationship) • contextual sources […]

Infant developmental assessment Developmental assessment can be included, when appropriate, as part of the therapeutic intervention. There are many different kinds of developmental assessment undertaken, depending on the purpose of the assessment, the clinician’s skills and abilities, and the family’s needs and concerns. Involving parents in the assessment process can provide them with useful information […]

Assessment of infant–parent interaction Even in a brief interview with a family, many useful observations can be made that provide information about the ‘quality’ of the interaction and relationship. Relationship factors The interaction between parent and infant and, where possible, between the parents while they are with the baby, needs to be observed. This provides […]