The Portuguese Online Lighthouse MBT-P: Feasibility and Caregivers´ Perceived Processes of Change

• Type: Thesis
• Date: 2022-11-17

Authors

Francisco Manuel de Jesus Nassr Harfouche (Author) FPCEUP

Thesis

The Portuguese Online Lighthouse MBT-P: Feasibility and Caregivers´ Perceived Processes of Change

Master's Degree

Dissertation

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences

Other information

Resumo (PT): Parental mentalizing is the caregivers’ ability to actively try to understand their child´s intentional mental states underpinning behaviour. Failures in parental mentalizing can lead to risk of intergenerational abuse and neglect, which is related to psychopathology. A growing need for online parenting interventions, due to the increase in parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, makes evident the need to adapt the Lighthouse MBT-P program to its Portuguese online version. In this context, the intervention was adapted, and a network of senior national therapists were trained and supervised during the facilitation of the program. The candidate was involved in all steps of the adaptation, training, assisted to one group intervention and all supervision meetings. Moreover, he prepared the research protocol and gave logistic support during the data collection process. This article presents the study of two online groups, and pursues two major aims. First, to assess the feasibility of the online version of the Portuguese Lighthouse MBT-P 12-week, as well as the feasibility of the research protocol. Second, to explore what, when and how perceived therapy related change processes occur. The sample was composed of 14 caregivers of a sub-clinical population, who answered Helpful Aspects of Therapy and PSYCHLOPS session-by-session measures, and Client Change Interview at the end of the intervention. Qualitative data was thematically analysed and discussed with the scientific supervisor in iterative cycles. The results suggested the program´s efficacy in promoting parental reflective function, parental sensitivity, emotional regulation and parental self-efficacy. The online 12-sessions Lighthouse program is feasible, with high therapeutic compliance. However, the session-by-session data collection using the above measures is difficult, and the data collection procedure needs future adjustments.

Abstract (EN): Parental mentalizing is the caregivers’ ability to actively try to understand their child´s intentional mental states underpinning behaviour. Failures in parental mentalizing can lead to risk of intergenerational abuse and neglect, which is related to psychopathology. A growing need for online parenting interventions, due to the increase in parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, makes evident the need to adapt the Lighthouse MBT-P program to its Portuguese online version. In this context, the intervention was adapted, and a network of senior national therapists were trained and supervised during the facilitation of the program. The candidate was involved in all steps of the adaptation, training, assisted to one group intervention and all supervision meetings. Moreover, he prepared the research protocol and gave logistic support during the data collection process. This article presents the study of two online groups, and pursues two major aims. First, to assess the feasibility of the online version of the Portuguese Lighthouse MBT-P 12-week, as well as the feasibility of the research protocol. Second, to explore what, when and how perceived therapy related change processes occur. The sample was composed of 14 caregivers of a sub-clinical population, who answered Helpful Aspects of Therapy and PSYCHLOPS session-by-session measures, and Client Change Interview at the end of the intervention. Qualitative data was thematically analysed and discussed with the scientific supervisor in iterative cycles. The results suggested the program´s efficacy in promoting parental reflective function, parental sensitivity, emotional regulation and parental self-efficacy. The online 12-sessions Lighthouse program is feasible, with high therapeutic compliance. However, the session-by-session data collection using the above measures is difficult, and the data collection procedure needs future adjustments.

Language: English

No. of pages: 44