Web-based Parenting Intervention for Mothers of Infants At-Risk for Maltreatment (Baby-Net)

Parents randomized to the intervention condition will receive a computerized adaptation of the empirically supported PALS parenting program as well as a laptop and wireless Internet connection. In this study, we adapted original 10-session PALS program for computer administration and included a session on reading (Read to Me, Inc.; http://www.readtomeprogram.org/index.html), developed to be incorporated within the PALS program. Each session includes the following: (a) a presentation of concepts, behaviors, and examples, (b) check-in questions recorded to the data base for review by both parent and coach, (c) the creation of a 5 minute computer-collected video of mother-infant interactions for later review by coach and parent, (d) a summary of topics, (e) daily activities (homework), (f) feedback about the program recorded to the database and (g) a weekly telephone coach call to review mother-infant computer-administered video and session topics and skills.

Mothers in this condition will receive weekly phone contact with a coach as well as a laptop and wireless Internet connection. The laptop will contain a computer-based infant intervention program that is structurally similar to the Infant Program in terms of components (e.g., information pages, mother-infant video recording pages; coach contact pages), however weekly information will focus on their infants' development, with no direct maternal skills instruction. Mothers in this condition will receive the same number of contacts with the computer and coach as mothers in the InfantNet condition and will participate in weekly phone calls with a coach. During phone calls, parents will co-view weekly mother-infant video with their coach, with mothers having been instructed to play with their infant (with no prescribed tasks to perform) and the discussion will focus on general infant development.