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Journal Article

Citation

Franz M, Gertheinrichs T, Güttgemanns J, Haubold S, Rentsch D, Schäfer R. Psychother. Psychosom. Med. Psychol. 2007; 57(2): A020.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-2007-970639

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Aims: 25% of German families with children are single-parent families, mostly (90%) the mothers take care. Single-mothers have an enhanced risk of psychosocial impairment, in particular of depression. Depression interferes with parental competences. It impairs attachment regulation, maternal empathy and emotional exchange-developmental risk factors for many children. Despite of a large demand, in Germany exist no evaluated intervention programs for depressive single-mothers. Method: Based on population studies on the load and needs of single-mothers (1-3) we developed an interactional and attachment oriented emotion focussing parental training program for single-mothers. This structured group intervention contains 20 sessions in 4 sequenced units. It was realized by couples of trained male and female kindergarten nurses, who used a detailed manual. The effect on maternal psychological impairment, depression and emotional awareness (N=41) was investigated within a RCT study design. Results: As a first step we present the manual and pre- and post-treatment data. Subjective satisfaction of the participating single-mothers with treatment was high. They reported a better understanding and emotional exchange with their children. The treatment group showed a significant and clinically relevant reduction of psychological impairment (SCL-90 R), depression (ADS) and a better emotional awareness (SEE) compared to controls. The nurses reported experience of high competence in group leading after the structured training. Conclusion: The parental training was highly accepted by the participating single-mothers. It effected a reduction of maternal depression and a better emotional functioning. This can be seen as precondition for the stabilization of parental skills, emotional empathy or attachment regulation, which is protective for the child. The program could be used as a preventive parental training in community settings like kindergartens or elementary schools.

KW: Single mothers - depression - parental training - attachment oriented - prevention

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