Changes in parenting representations following Circle of Security-Parenting (COS-P) at an Australian Early Parenting Center.

The Circle of Security-Parenting program (COS-P) is a widely disseminated attachment and mentalization-informed parenting intervention. Outcome studies, however, have yielded mixed results and its effectiveness for parents from different demographic groups is largely unknown. This study examined the outcomes of COS-P and explored parent demographics (mother/father status and education). Participants were 117 parents who attended COS-P at an Australian Early Parenting Center. The Composite Caregiving Questionnaire (CCQ) assessed caregiving representations (self-efficacy regarding emotion/affection and empathy/understanding, hostility, caregiving helplessness, and parental reflective functioning). Outcomes were analyzed using a mixed model repeated measures design. Results revealed significant post-intervention improvement on all CCQ domains, with some demographic differences. Fathers reported a greater rate of improvement in parental self-efficacy regarding empathy and understanding compared to mothers, after starting from a lower level. There were no differences in any outcomes between parents who were university-educated and those who were not. Findings provide further evidence that COS-P improves caregiving representations, but there may be some differences for mothers and fathers.