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Although clinicians typically acknowledge the importance of insecure attachment as one factor that can contribute to children’s psychopathology, translating attachment theory into clinical practice has proved a challenge. By specifying some of the mechanisms through which the child’s attachment develops and changes, learning theory can enhance attachment based approaches to therapy. Specifically, interventions building on operant (parent management training) and classical (exposure therapy) learning can be used to stimulate new learning that increases the child’s security and confidence in the parent’s availability and responsiveness. To explore the clinical application and utility of a Learning Theory of Attachment (LTA), we focus on two attachment-focused interventions: Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) and Middle Childhood Attachment-based Family Therapy (MCAT). VIPP-SD is an evidence-based parent management training designed to promote sensitive parenting and secure attachment in early childhood. MCAT is a recently developed intervention that uses exposure to stimulate secure attachment in middle childhood. LTA sheds light on the mechanisms set in train by VIPP-SD and MCAT facilitating the induction of professionals in clinical applications.

The Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) is effective in increasing parental sensitivity and sensitive discipline, and aims to decrease child behavior problems. Changes in quality of parenting may be accompanied by effects on child stress levels. However, studies of VIPP-SD effects on child behavior problems have shown mixed results and there are no studies to date of the effect of the intervention on children’s stress levels, as measured by hair cortisol concentration (HCC). Furthermore, differences in intervention effectiveness may be explained by differential susceptibility factors. We hypothesized that the effects of the VIPP-SD on child behavior problems might be moderated by currently available child polygenic scores of differential susceptibility (PGS-DS). In the current pre-registered trial, we randomly assigned 40% of n = 445 families with school-aged twin children to the intervention group. The VIPP-SD was successful in decreasing both children’s conduct problems and HCC. Effects were not moderated by available child PGS-DS. We conclude that a brief, home-based video-feedback parenting intervention can decrease child behavior problems and affect the child’s stress-related neuroendocrine system as assessed with hair cortisol. In future studies, more specific PGS-DS for externalizing behaviors should be used as well as parental PGS-DS.

Background The prevention of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in children is a critical scientific and public health priority. Research highlights maternal sensitivity—defined as a caregiver’s ability to perceive, interpret, and respond appropriately to their child’s cues—and consistent but non-coercive discipline as key factors in reducing these behavioral issues. The Video-feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) aims to enhance maternal sensitivity and promote non-coercive discipline strategies. Meta-analyses have demonstrated its effectiveness in improving parental sensitivity, limit-setting practices, and child attachment security, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged families. However, evidence on its impact on externalizing behaviors remains mixed, with some studies suggesting delayed or context-specific effects. This project aims to evaluate VIPP-SD’s impact on parental sensitivity, discipline, child behavioral problems, and parental mental health in Portugal. Additionally, it seeks to assess the intervention’s cost-effectiveness by analyzing health outcomes, resource utilization, and associated costs. Methods The program consists of a baseline visit, four intervention sessions, and optional booster sessions, focusing on themes such as sensitive responsiveness, positive reinforcement, and empathetic boundary-setting. 120 families from vulnerable populations in Portugal will be recruited and randomly assigned to the VIPP-SD intervention or the same number of contacts without feedback on parenting. Trained interveners will deliver the intervention. Pre- and posttest assessments include observed and self-reported parenting behaviors, parental mental health, quality of life, and resource use. Follow-up assessments include questionnaires on parent and child variables. Discussion The study aims to provide robust evidence to inform health policy decisions and prioritize cost-effective early interventions that improve developmental outcomes, reduce societal costs, and support family well-being. Trial registration NCT07153198, 02/09/2025.

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. The VIPP‐SD program reduced N170 responses to children's happy and angry expressions, reflecting more efficient face processing. Neural face processing did not mediate intervention effects on maternal behavior. Parenting support programs may yield different effects on neurocognitive processes depending on the population that is examined.

Este estudio busca describir los aspectos clínicos que favorecieron la eficacia de la intervención \"Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline\" (VIPP-SD) en el caso de una díada de NSE bajo de Lima-Perú. La díada estuvo conformada por la madre de 37 años y su niño de 17 meses, quienes vivían en un contexto de alto riesgo. Se midieron los resultados de la intervención en la sensibilidad materna mediante el Maternal Behaviour Q-Set 3.1. La madre pasó de tener un nivel de sensibilidad de -.53, previo a la intervención, a .78 posterior a esta. La significancia estadística y relevancia clínica de este cambio fue corroborada mediante el indicador RCI y el análisis de indicadores de cambio terapéutico propuestos por Krause et al. (2006). Se discuten las acciones que sirvieron para afianzar la alianza terapéutica y mantener el compromiso de la madre en la intervención.

The effect of the Video-Feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) on daily cortisol production was tested in a randomized controlled trial with 130 families with 1- to 3-year-old children screened for their relatively high levels of externalizing behavior. Six 1.5-hr intervention sessions focusing on maternal sensitivity and discipline were conducted with individual families at their homes. Children in the intervention group showed lower cortisol levels, with a moderating role of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) VNTR exon III polymorphism. The VIPP-SD program proved to be effective in decreasing daily cortisol production in children with the DRD4 7-repeat allele, but not in children without the DRD4 7-repeat allele. Our findings indicate that children are differentially susceptible to intervention effects dependent on the presence of the 7-repeat DRD4 allele.

This article will introduce a new method that has been available in Poland since 2015, based on video recordings, for families with children up to 5 years of age - the Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) (Juffer, Bakermans-Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, 2008). The authors first discuss the current framework of development support psychology in Poland. Next, there is a review of methods based on video training. General information about the VIPP-SD intervention program is presented in the following part of the paper, focusing on international evidence-based studies supporting the effectiveness of the method. The need for a cultural adaptation and implementation of the VIPP-SD program in Poland is outlined.