Differential DNA Methylation as a Function of a Parenting Intervention
Condition: Maltreatment, Child
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study is to experimentally assess whether an early parenting intervention for
      maltreating parents results in differential epigenetic marking of children's genome,
      particularly of DNA associated with immune system functioning, obesity, and mental health.
    

Detailed description: 
      This study assesses whether a 10-session intervention for maltreating parents effects the
      epigenome of young children who have experienced early maltreatment. Families are randomly
      assigned to the experimental condition (Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up) or a treatment
      control (Developmental Education for Families). Biological samples and behavioral
      observations of parenting will be collected pre- and post- intervention. Biological samples
      will be used to conduct whole genome analyses of differential DNA methylation that occur as a
      result of the intervention. Behavioral observations of parent-child interactions will be used
      to assess the efficacy of the intervention in altering parenting behaviors.
    

Intervention name(s): Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up; Developmental Education for Families
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) is a 10-session, weekly intervention delivered in the family's home. ABC addresses three primary issues. First, young children who have experienced early adversity are especially in need of nurturance and parents who behave in synchronous ways and delight in them. Next, when parents behave in frightening ways, it is difficult for children to look to them for reassurance when distressed. This can be particularly difficult for children who have experienced early adversity. Therefore, this intervention helps parents learn how to: 1) behave in nurturing ways when children are distressed; 2) behave in synchronous, delighted ways when children are not distressed; and 3) avoid behaving in frightening or intrusive ways. Interventionists are provided with a manualized protocol, but tailor specific session content to each family's needs. Sessions are videotaped, both for playback to families, and for supervision.; Developmental Education for Families (DEF) is a 10-session, weekly intervention delivered in the family's home. DEF focuses on enhancing gross and fine motor skills, cognition and language development. The age-based protocols (i.e., 6-24 months,) provide information about the developmental themes of focus for each week and suggest activities to enhance the target skills for that week. However, the protocols do not provide a direct script with which to conduct the sessions. Interventionists tailor the developmental program session to the needs of the child and family by considering the child's current gross, fine, cognitive and language skills and creatively preparing several activities that will address the session topics.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment