After receiving parent-child interaction therapy for 14 days in CRP, the mother's concept about parent-child interaction therapy: a qualitative study

Abstract

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a family-based treatment that focuses on improving the parent child relationship to enable child growth. This qualitative research observed the experience and interpretation about Parent-Child Interaction Therapy by mothers following a 14-day intervention period at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) in Bangladesh. The purpose of the research was to explain the attitude of mothers to the therapeutic process, the perceived consequences of their children and those factors which affected their use of the therapy. Using a qualitative framework, semi-structured interviews with mothers who attended therapeutic sessions with their children were used to collect the data. Interpretive analysis was done on the resulting interview data. The analysis produced six major themes, including the developing understanding of PCIT, the interpretation about how PCIT works, the perceived results of the therapy in the 14-day interval, the shift in the mother-child relationship, facilitators and problems in the CRP setting, and the perceived importance, advocacy, and sustainability of the therapy. The results showed that most of the mothers had a low level of knowledge about PCIT in the beginning, but slowly gained knowledge about the therapy as a mother-mediated and relational based method. The mothers reported improvements in communication, attention, behaviour and motor skill early in the child. The mother-child relationship and maternal self-efficacy were also strengthened by the involvement in PCIT. Despite some difficulties, mothers published a strong reaction to the therapy and revealed their desire to continue with and support PCIT. To conclude, PCIT was considered to be a powerful and practical intervention, and it is extremely important that caregivers are involved and practised prolongedly in rehabilitation settings in Bangladesh. Key Words: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, Mothers Concept