Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2010-9
Findings from an Evaluation of an Intervention Targeting Australian Parents of Young Children with Attachment Issues: The ‘Through the Looking Glass’ (TtLG) Project
THIS ARTICLE REPORTS ON the evaluation of the ‘Through the Looking Glass'
project, a three-year intervention conducted in five childcare settings across Australia
and engaging 126 ‘at-risk’ families where there was an identified relationship between the
parent and child/children (aged birth to five years). The evaluation embraced a pragmatic
mixed-methods approach triangulating data sources and methods and employing participatory
action research procedures. These included pre- and post-project video recordings and
follow-up interviews up to 18 months after project completion. A broad range of positive
impacts were achieved and sustained—mothers were significantly less stressed, depressed
and anxious; were significantly more emotionally available; and reported being better able
to cope and practise as parents. Children's wellbeing and involvement improved
significantly, with improved child behaviours attributed to the project identified by
staff and mothers. This paper presents the intervention, evaluation and findings for the
mothers and children who participated in the project.
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