How Might We Understand Mothers’ Experiences of the VID-KIDS Intervention? More than Meets the Eye

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex public health concern that can disrupt the healthy interaction between a mother and her infant. An impairment in this foundational relationship is perceived by infants to be a toxic stressor, and as a result negative long-term outcomes on growth and development can ensue. Parenting interventions in the early years of an infant’s life that aim to modify this significant stressor are a type of support that can alleviate potential concerns associated with the experience of PPD. Video-Feedback Interaction Guidance for Improving Interactions Between Depressed Mothers and their Infants (VID-KIDS) is an example of a parenting intervention that has been evaluated to improve the quality of mother-infant interactions when mothers are experiencing PPD, improve maternal depression and decrease infants stress levels. To ensure successful uptake of VID-KIDS in public health care settings, it is essential that maternal perspectives are heard and applied accordingly. The goal of this research project was to understand the perspectives of mothers who participated in the VID-KIDS intervention, as this was a gap that required further exploration. Four mothers were interviewed, following the tenets of hermeneutics, to understand the meaning that they attached to this experience. The findings of this study provided encouragement that VID-KIDS makes a positive difference in the lives of mothers and their infants when experiencing PPD.