Predicting fidelity and treatment outcomes in savoring interventions among mothers of young children

Savoring impacts parents’ emotions and parent–child relationship quality. Using data from a randomized controlled trial (N = 164 mothers of 18–27-month-olds, 37 interveners) conducted with a community sample in the United States, this study examined predictors of fidelity and treatment outcomes across two savoring preventative interventions (relational savoring and personal savoring). Treatment outcome indicators were selected from a battery administered immediately post-intervention (maternal closeness to child) and at a 3-month follow-up (maternal sensitivity, reflective functioning). We examined whether intervener education level (bachelor's degree/no bachelor's degree) predicted fidelity (Research Question 1), whether intervener education level predicted treatment outcomes (Research Question 2), and whether fidelity predicted treatment outcomes (Research Question 3). In many cases, intervener education background was not related to fidelity or treatment outcome; however, interveners without bachelor's degrees showed greater adherence to the protocols on some scales (higher positivity, higher secure base, higher calm matching) and sessions with these interveners were associated with greater increases in maternal sensitivity. Regardless of the intervener education level, redirecting attention to the positive and calmly matching participants’ tone were associated with higher maternal reflective functioning, and higher secure base scores were associated with greater closeness. Findings have implications for the training and implementation of prevention programs for parents.