Joining the Circle: parents’ experiences of an attachment-based intervention in UK Parent-Infant Mental Health Services

Background: The Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) programme is an attachment based intervention aimed at enhancing caregivers’ reflective functioning and sensitivity to their child’s needs. Despite its growing adoption across clinical settings, prior to the present study, research had not yet explored how parents experience COSP within UK Parent-Infant Mental Health Services (PIMHS). Aim: This study aimed to qualitatively explore parents' experiences of COSP within UK parent-infant services, with a focus on understanding the perceived utility, the experience of delivery methods, and the role of culture within UK contexts. Methods: Using a reflexive thematic analysis approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 15 parents who had completed the COSP programme in UK PIMHS. Results: Six key themes were identified, 1) Building a More Confident and Connected Parent; 2) Reflecting on the Self in the Parenting Role; 3) Group Format as a Space for Connection or Disconnection; 4) Cultural Relevance and Fit of COSP; 5) Structural Barriers and Accessibility Challenges; and 6) COSP in Everyday Life and Beyond. Participants’ feedback reflected the perceived value of the intervention, challenges related to accessibility and delivery, and the influence of individual and cultural context on engagement. Conclusion: This qualitative study offers novel insights into how parents in UK PIMHS have experienced COSP, highlighting its perceived benefits in enhancing confidence, emotional connection, and reflective capacity. Findings also emphasise the need for more inclusive, culturally resonant, and flexible delivery to ensure accessibility across diverse family contexts. These contributions advance the UK evidence base for COSP and support the need for its sensitive adaptation and implementation within PIMHS.