Topic: Parenting
Target Population: Parents
Sector: Community-Based
This program was delivered to parents/caregivers of children who were birth to 5 years old and was intended to impact parents, caregivers, and children.
Circle of Security - Home Visiting 4 (COS-HV4), a community-based program that was a version of the Circle of Security program, was designed to help parents/caregivers recognize and respond to a child's signals, create a strong sense of attachment between children and parents/caregivers, and develop positive caregiving attitudes and behaviors.
Results from one randomized controlled trial, less than 6 months after the end of the intervention, demonstrated no significant main effect of the treatment; however, there was an interaction effect with treatment and irritability. Highly irritable infants in the intervention group had a greater probability of being secure than did highly irritable infants in the control group.
The program intended to help parents/caregivers understand the child's behaviors and adjust their responses to the child's behaviors. Videos were recorded of parent/caregiver and child interactions in the home, and an intervener (home visitor) examined clips of the videos and created an individualized treatment plan to address core issues that may have been preventing or hindering attachment and proper caregiving. Sessions consisted of the following:
Previous use information was not located.
Home visitors needed to possess a master's degree in a mental health field. These professionals had to complete an advanced 10-day (i.e., 70 hours) COS training, pass an exam, and receive supervision for five interventions. Training was offered off-site several times each year at different locations or could be arranged to be held on-site.
This program is no longer available; however, considerations for implementing a similar program might include acquiring buy-in from parents/caregivers, obtaining video equipment to record parent/caregiver and child interactions and present videos to parents/caregivers during home visits, establishing convenient times for home visits to occur, and finding suitable home visitors.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing a program similar to COS-HV4, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
The program consisted of four, 1-hour home visits every 2 to 3 weeks.
Information on implementation costs was not located.
To move COS-HV4 to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
This program is no longer available; however you may also contact Circle of Security International by mail 1403 S. Grand Blvd, Suite 204S, Spokane, WA 99203, email info@circleofsecurityinternational.com or visit https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/about/contact-us/
Cassidy, Woodhouse, Sherman, Stupica, and Lejuez (2011) and www.cebc4cw.org/program/circle-of-security-home-visiting-4/detailed (This website no longer contains program information).
Cassidy, J., Woodhouse, S. S., Sherman, L. J., Stupica, B., & Lejuez, C. W. (2011). Enhancing infant attachment security: An examination of treatment efficacy and differential susceptibility. Development and Psychopathology, 23(1), 131-148. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579410000696
