Caregiver-Child Relationships in Early Childhood: Interventions to Promote Well-Being and Reduce Risk for Psychopathology

Purpose of Review: Early caregiver-child relationships are foundational to early development and central to efforts to promote well-being and prevent psychopathology. We discuss the role of caregiver-child relationships in early development and risk for psychopathology, and psychotherapeutic interventions targeting early caregiver-child relationships. Recent Findings: Early risk for psychopathology is conferred through the dynamic interaction of biological and environmental factors, with sensitive caregiving playing a critical role. Recent research suggests that quality of caregiving moderates the effect of a child’s genetic risk for psychopathology. The protective role of sensitive caregiving is especially vital in the context of stress and trauma. Caregiver-child psychotherapeutic interventions are effective in increasing the rates of secure attachment and sensitive caregiving, and reducing early psychopathology. Emerging evidence suggests some interventions may be associated with changes to parents’ neural circuitry that underlies sensitive caregiving. Summary: Relationship-based psychotherapeutic interventions are promising in the promotion of well-being and prevention of psychopathology in at-risk families. © 2017, Springer International Publishing AG.