All Children in Focus: A randomized controlled trial on effects of universal parental group support regarding infants aged 10-18 months

Background: Promotion of mental health is an important topic and early interventions may be the most cost-effective investment for the society.

The Child Health Care (CHC) in Sweden, reaches 99% of parents with infants and is the society’s major promotive support during the first years of life.

All Children in Focus (ACF) is a universal program aiming to support positive parental strategies and promote child well-being. ACF has shown positive effects for parental efficacy and strategies and for child well-being at age 3-12-years.

In this 3-year project we aim to gain knowledge about how ACF given to parents with infants may influence parenting and child well-being.Method: Parents with infants of 10-18 months will be enrolled at CHCs and randomized to ACF or care as usual.

ACF consists of four sessions focusing on support of parent-infant interaction based on theories within positive developmental psychology. Data will be collected at baseline, after participation and at child age two and three years. Effects of AFC on positive parenting and strategies are assessed through parental questionnaires.

Child well-being is measured through parental questionnaires and data in CHC records.

Data will be analyzed statistically with linear regression models.Relevance: This study adds to the evidence of promotion during infancy and give information if ACF is effective for parents and young children. It may also reduce needs of future interventions of mental health problems.