From Dyad to Triad in Early Childhood: Mentalization-Informed Interventions Developed in Chile

ABSTRACT

Early interactions with primary caregivers shape child development and lay the foundation for later mental health. In the context of parenting, attachment styles and parental reflective functioning are key elements for infant/child development and can be influenced by adverse or traumatic experiences. Mentalization-based models provide a comprehensive view on, and effective intervention tools for group dyadic and triadic approaches to attachment difficulties during early childhood. This article reviews 3 brief mentalization-informed interventions developed in Chile, focusing on the first three years of life. Participants in these interventions include mothers, fathers, and children with different characteristics from diverse backgrounds. Initial studies focus on mothers with perinatal depressive symptoms and their babies, considering dyads receiving attention from the public service and dyads residing in prisons. Subsequent studies target triads of mother-father-infant with socio-emotional development difficulties and dyads of mother-baby with depressive symptoms attended online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results demonstrate significant improvements in the quality of dyadic and triadic family interactions, with some also showing symptomatic relief in maternal depression and enhancements in infant development. The studies emphasize the value of video feedback as an effective tool for promoting parental reflective functioning through brief interventions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the ANID Millennium Science Initiative/Millennium Institute for Research on Depression and Personality [MIDAP ICS13_005]; Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, FONDECYT, Chile Postdoctoral Project N°3120109; Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, FONDECYT, Chile, Initiation Project N°11140230; Núcleo MILENIO Psychological Intervention and Change in Depression, financed by the Ministry of Economy, Development, and Tourism, of the Government of Chile, NS10008; Innovation and Competitiveness (FIC) of the Chilean Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, through the Millenium Scientific Initiative IS230005.

Notes on contributors

Marcia Olhaberry

Marcia Olhaberry PhD in Psychotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and University of Heidelberg, Germany. Psychologist, Graduate in Psychology, Universidad de Chile. Associate Professor School of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica Chile. Deputy Director and Associate Researcher of the Millennium Institute for Research in Depression and Personality (MIDAP). Academic Coordinator and Supervisor of Perinatal Mental Health Program, UC Christus Health Network. Academic Director Diploma in Attachment and Psychopathology, UC. Main lines of study: Prevention and intervention in early mental health, perinatal depression, parenting, dyadic and triadic family interactions and bonds.