A long history of research indicates that adolescent mothers are more likely to enter motherhood experiencing risk factors that may negatively impact developmentally supportive interactions with their child. One effective intervention for promoting developmentally supportive interactions is the use of parent coaching from video recorded parent-child interactions (known as video feedback; VF). However, like many parenting interventions, this approach may be perceived by adolescent mothers as too intrusive. This study explored an adaptation of VF called Positive Video Self-review of Parent-infant Interactions (PVSR-PI). PVSR-PI is based upon the principles of Video Self Modeling (VSM) and is distinct from VF approaches as it employs autonomous video self-review of only positive parent-infant interactions. This study examined the feasibility of the PVSR-PI, changes in observed parenting behaviour, parenting self-efficacy, maternal mental health, and mothers’ reflections on experiences of personal and relationship change with their infant over the course of the intervention.

A single-case research design was employed with four mother-infant dyads recruited from a local Young Parents Programme (YPP), with three assigned to the intervention condition and one to a treatment as usual condition. Intervention engagement was very good and discourse around the acceptability of PVSR-PI was largely positive, offering preliminary support for feasibility. Data attributes restricted the interpretation of intervention effects or meaningful change for observed parenting behaviour, and no replication was seen across participants. Parenting self-efficacy increased for all intervention participants from pre-intervention to post-intervention, but did not meet reliable change criteria, and one mother experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in emotional closeness to her infant. At baseline, participants reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress within a normal range, and idiosyncratic changes were seen, but none met reliable change criteria. Qualitative findings indicated that all mothers perceived some effects of the intervention on their thoughts about, and interactions with their child. Study findings are discussed in relation to previous video feedback and video self-modeling research and theory, alongside implications and recommendations for future research.