Evaluating the Effectiveness of Circle of Security-Parenting for Perinatal Mental Health: Insights from a Large-Scale RCT

Introduction

Perinatal mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are common and significantly impact both parents and infants. Effective interventions are critical to mitigate adverse long-term outcomes. The Circle of Security-Parenting (COS-P) program, an attachment-based parenting intervention, has shown promise in preliminary studies; however, its efficacy in real-world NHS settings remained unconfirmed. This article critically reviews the findings from a rigorous, multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the clinical effectiveness of COS-P when combined with treatment-as-usual in improving parental psychopathology and bonding.

Study Background and Rationale