Parent and practitioner perspectives on the acceptability, impact and logic model for ‘ready to relate’: An intervention to promote parent-infant relationships

Parent-infant relationships are the foundation of child development. Ready to Relate (R2R) is a novel flexible intervention to enhance parent knowledge and awareness related to healthy parent-infant relationships including brain development, infant cues, and sensitive, responsive and attuned parenting. It is highly visual and designed to be accessible across cultures and language levels. This study explored parent and practitioner perspectives on the acceptability and impacts of R2R and used workshops to co-produce a logic model. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with practitioners (N=14) and parents (N=18) in Bradford, UK, found that R2R was perceived to have positive outcomes for infants, parents, practitioners, and on others in the wider system. Potential mechanisms through which R2R promotes conversations about parent-infant relationships and facilitates positive change were identified and documented in the logic model. The relational parent-practitioner context was highlighted as critical for ensuring positive impacts and preventing unintended negative consequences. This study suggests that R2R may offer application in multiple delivery contexts and may generate positive impacts for parents and infants from diverse backgrounds. The logic model will guide further research to systematically evaluate outcomes from this promising intervention and support clinical application.