Does neural face processing explain effects of an attachment-based intervention on maternal sensitivity? A randomized controlled study including pre- and postintervention measures

Laura Kolijn; Bianca G. van den Bulk; Saskia Euser; Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg; Marinus H. van IJzendoorn; Rens Huffmeijer

doi:10.1002/brb3.1972

Does neural face processing explain effects of an attachment-based intervention on maternal sensitivity? A randomized controlled study including pre- and postintervention measures

Laura Kolijn, Bianca G. van den Bulk, Saskia Euser, Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg^*, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Rens Huffmeijer

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Although there is a large body of literature highlighting the behavioral effects of parenting interventions, studies on the neurocognitive mechanisms involved in such intervention effects remain scarce. Purpose: The aim of the current study was to test whether changes in neural face processing (as reflected in N170 amplitudes) would act as a mediator in the association between the Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) and maternal sensitivity. Methods: A total of 66 mothers of whom a random 33% received the VIPP-SD and the others a “dummy” intervention participated in pre- and postintervention assessments. We recorded mothers' electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in response to photographs of children's neutral, happy, and angry facial expressions. Maternal sensitivity was observed while mothers interacted with their offspring in a semi-structured play situation. Results: In contrast with our expectations, we did not find evidence for mediation of intervention effects on maternal sensitivity by the N170. Conclusion: We discuss that parenting support programs may yield different effects on neurocognitive processes depending on the population and provide recommendations for future research. Our study underscores the importance of reporting null findings and preregistering studies in the field of neurocognitive research.

Original language	English
Article number	e01972
Pages (from-to)	1-14
Number of pages	14
Journal	Brain and Behavior
Volume	12
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1972
Publication status	Published - 8 Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors thank the families for their participation in the longitudinal twin study “Samen Uniek” and the researchers involved in the data collection and the intervention team with Claudia Vrijhof in particular. The Consortium on Individual Development (CID) is funded through the Gravitation program of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO grand number 024.001.003). Additional funding was provided by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (MJBK: VICI Grant no. 453‐09‐003; MHvIJ: NWO SPINOZA prize).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Funding

The authors thank the families for their participation in the longitudinal twin study “Samen Uniek” and the researchers involved in the data collection and the intervention team with Claudia Vrijhof in particular. The Consortium on Individual Development (CID) is funded through the Gravitation program of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO grand number 024.001.003). Additional funding was provided by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (MJBK: VICI Grant no. 453‐09‐003; MHvIJ: NWO SPINOZA prize).

Funders	Funder number
Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science
MJBK	453‐09‐003
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek	024.001.003

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Kolijn, L., van den Bulk, B. G., Euser, S., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Huffmeijer, R. (2021). Does neural face processing explain effects of an attachment-based intervention on maternal sensitivity? A randomized controlled study including pre- and postintervention measures. Brain and Behavior, 12(1), 1-14. Article e01972. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1972

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title = "Does neural face processing explain effects of an attachment-based intervention on maternal sensitivity? A randomized controlled study including pre- and postintervention measures",

abstract = "Background: Although there is a large body of literature highlighting the behavioral effects of parenting interventions, studies on the neurocognitive mechanisms involved in such intervention effects remain scarce. Purpose: The aim of the current study was to test whether changes in neural face processing (as reflected in N170 amplitudes) would act as a mediator in the association between the Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) and maternal sensitivity. Methods: A total of 66 mothers of whom a random 33% received the VIPP-SD and the others a “dummy” intervention participated in pre- and postintervention assessments. We recorded mothers' electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in response to photographs of children's neutral, happy, and angry facial expressions. Maternal sensitivity was observed while mothers interacted with their offspring in a semi-structured play situation. Results: In contrast with our expectations, we did not find evidence for mediation of intervention effects on maternal sensitivity by the N170. Conclusion: We discuss that parenting support programs may yield different effects on neurocognitive processes depending on the population and provide recommendations for future research. Our study underscores the importance of reporting null findings and preregistering studies in the field of neurocognitive research.",

author = "Laura Kolijn and {van den Bulk}, {Bianca G.} and Saskia Euser and Bakermans-Kranenburg, {Marian J.} and {van IJzendoorn}, {Marinus H.} and Rens Huffmeijer",

note = "Funding Information: The authors thank the families for their participation in the longitudinal twin study “Samen Uniek” and the researchers involved in the data collection and the intervention team with Claudia Vrijhof in particular. The Consortium on Individual Development (CID) is funded through the Gravitation program of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO grand number 024.001.003). Additional funding was provided by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (MJBK: VICI Grant no. 453‐09‐003; MHvIJ: NWO SPINOZA prize). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.",

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Kolijn, L, van den Bulk, BG, Euser, S, Bakermans-Kranenburg, MJ, van IJzendoorn, MH & Huffmeijer, R 2021, 'Does neural face processing explain effects of an attachment-based intervention on maternal sensitivity? A randomized controlled study including pre- and postintervention measures', Brain and Behavior, vol. 12, no. 1, e01972, pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1972

Does neural face processing explain effects of an attachment-based intervention on maternal sensitivity? A randomized controlled study including pre- and postintervention measures. / Kolijn, Laura; van den Bulk, Bianca G.; Euser, Saskia et al.
In: Brain and Behavior, Vol. 12, No. 1, e01972, 08.12.2021, p. 1-14.

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Does neural face processing explain effects of an attachment-based intervention on maternal sensitivity? A randomized controlled study including pre- and postintervention measures

Abstract

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