To Repeat or Not to Repeat - Preventing Intergenerational Transfer of Adverse Childhood Experiences

NCT04528589 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 97191
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 23
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The main aim of the study is to examine patients' and therapists' experiences with prenatal psychotherapy provided to pregnant women with adverse childhood experiences and how this may influence intergenerational transmission of risk. The investigators will explore a) participants' perspectives on what promoted or prevented change in psychotherapy, b) how the mothers' reflective function changes and possible factors associated with change in reflective function. Up to 20 clinically referred women in gestational week 20-30 will be included and assessed with qualitative interviews and questionnaires at the beginning of treatment and when the baby is 4 months old. The quality of the mother-infant relationship will be assessed. Seven therapists will be interviewed with a qualitative interview schedule. Outcomes of the study will inform individual tailoring of psychotherapy for a high risk group of patients and provide increased knowledge about how intergenerational risk factors change during treatment.

Conditions

Psychological Trauma

Keywords

Mother-child relations; parenting; reflective function; child development; psychotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Experiences with prenatal psychotherapy

  Qualitative interview conducted 4 months after birth examining the mothers' experiences with the treatment

  4 months after birth

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Maternal Reflective functioning - Parent Development Interview

  Gestational week 20-30 to 4 months after birth

• Therapists' experiences with providing psychotherapy for women with adverse childhood events

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Study Arms (2)

Mothers

Women with adverse childhood experiences referred for treatment in gestational week 20-30

Other: prenatal psychotherapy

Therapists

Clinicians with experience of providing psychotherapy to women with adverse childhood experiences referred for treatment during pregnancy

Interventions

prenatal psychotherapy OTHER

Prenatal psychotherapy to break intergenerational risk of adverse childhood events

Mothers

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: Females
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Mothers: Clinically referred pregnant women with adverse childhood experiences. Therapists: Therapists providing prenatal psychotherapy to women with adverse childhood experiences

You may qualify if:

• Clinically referred women in gestational week 20-30
• Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE) score of 2 or more

You may not qualify if:

• Known IQ below 70
• Ongoing substance abuse
• Planned referral to mother-child center after birth

Sponsors & Collaborators

• South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority: collaborator
• University Hospital, Akershus: lead

Study Sites (1)

BUP Øvre Romerike

Jessheim, Norway

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Fjeldheim H, Werner A, Anke T, Moe V, Norheim HS, Aalberg M. Parenting the parent without losing sight of the child. A qualitative study of therapists' experiences with intergenerational adversities in perinatal psychotherapy. Infant Ment Health J. 2024 Mar;45(2):201-216. doi: 10.1002/imhj.22100. Epub 2024 Jan 25.

  PMID: 38272852 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Trauma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Marianne Aalberg, Phd

  University Hospital, Akershus

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Researcher

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 16, 2020
• First Posted: August 27, 2020
• Study Start: August 24, 2020
• Primary Completion: February 23, 2023
• Study Completion: February 12, 2024
• Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NO (1)