The effect of an innovative parent training program to promote parental reflective function and child development in high-risk families

Parents suffering from toxic stress (depression, addictions, and/or family violence) are often unable to respond sensitively and appropriately to their infants, putting the health and development of their infants at risk. My research evaluates a new parenting program called ATTACH. In ATTACH, parents learn to reflect on how they parent and to better understand their own feelings and behavior and those of their children. We hope that ATTACH improves parents’ sensitivity and responsiveness to their infants and ultimately their children’s health and development. I will conduct this study with Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS) that provides services to high-risk families. If effective, I expect this new ATTACH program will be commercializable and added to service agencies’ programs for high-risk families, such as CUPS. The Norlien Foundation is also a partner and study results directly address Norlien’s vision of supporting research and accelerating innovation to improve children’s health and development.

Faculty Supervisor:

Nicole LeTourneau

Student:

Partner:

Calgary Urban Project Society;Norlien Foundation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Calgary

Program: