Mothers in Mind: Exploring the Efficacy of a Dyadic Group Parenting Intervention for Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence and Their Young Children

Identifying and responding to the mental health needs of young children (0–4 years) exposed to intimate partner violence is one of the most pressing issues confronting child mental health and welfare sectors today. Children exposed to IPV (CEIPV) are at an increased risk of experiencing maltreatment, developing emotional and behavioral problems, and experiencing other adversities (Kimball, Journal of Family Violence, 31, 625–637, 2016). Among the range of protective factors that can mitigate against this impact is a strong relationship with, and attachment to, a primary caregiver (Holt, Buckley, & Whelan, Child Abuse & Neglect, 32, 797–810, 2008). Despite this, there are few evidenced-based programs which address the unique parenting supports required by women who experience domestic violence, while simultaneously attending to the unique developmental and psycho-social needs of exposed young children (Austin, Shanahan, Barrios, & Macy, Trauma, Violence and Abuse, 20(4), 498–519, 2019). This article describes the development and preliminary evaluation of Mothers in Mind, a trauma-informed, dyadic, mother–child intervention program designed to meet this need. Analyses of data from 36 mother–child dyads who completed pre- and post-group evaluation find that, after program completion, mothers report greater parenting self-efficacy, healthier parenting, and enhanced psychological well-being. The importance of relational capacity building in mother–child dyads impacted by violence and suggestions for future avenues for research and intervention are explored. © 2021, The Author(s).