Siwan Robert, DClinPsych student, Bangor University

Researching the Incredible Years Parent programme with foster carers

27 October 2011 10:00

As part of my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I am conducting research, supervised by Judy and Tracey, to evaluate IY Parenting groups run with foster carers.  I am in touch with three services hoping to run groups, two in North and one in South Wales.  There is still a way to go, but data collection has started!  My work extends previous work at the Centre using similar measures but also exploring the relationship between carers and their looked after child, and their attachment style.

The IY programme aims to build positive parent-child relationships and strengthen attachment, both particularly important for children in the care system who may have been abused or neglected and are less likely to have formed early social relationships through play. According to attachment theorists, children need a loving and nurturing relationship with their main caregiver to protect them from later mental health difficulties.  Children in care have significantly more mental health difficulties than their peers, particularly conduct disorder.  I will be exploring whether there is a significant improvement in carer and child mental health after the carer attends an IY Parent group, whether there will be changes in their relationship and attachment styles and to what degree any observed changes in relationship and attachment explain differences in mental health.  I will be collecting data through interview and questionnaire methods.  I am grateful to the programme leaders and foster carers who have been so willing to give of their time to help with this research.  Hopefully we can look forward to the results in a few months' time.

Siwan Roberts

DClinPsych student, Bangor University.