Michelle Sleed
Biographic Data
| ID | 4608862 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Michelle Sleed |
| GIVEN NAMES | Michelle |
| FAMILY NAME | Sleed |
| SIGNATURE | SLEED M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Anna Freud Centre |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-2321-2116 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 15 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 49 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 15 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2001 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
The freedom to mentalize
Parental reflective functioning (PRF), a critical construct in the field of infant mental health, has been under investigated in non‐WEIRD countries, where the majority of the world's infants are born. Studies from WEIRD contexts have demonstrated a relationship between socio‐demographic and parental reflective functioning scores. This study used a mixed‐methods concurrent exploratory research design to investigate relationships between socio‐dem…
Parental Reflective Functioning on the Parent Development Interview
A caregiver's capacity to mentalize is thought to be one of the most important features of secure parent–child relationships. Parental mentalizing can be measured using the Reflective Functioning (RF) coding system applied to the Parent Development Interview (PDI). In this narrative review, we summarize the research using this measure and synthesize what has been learnt about the predictors, correlates and sequelae of parental RF. Studies have co…
Observing and interpreting clinical process
This paper describes a method for investigating clinical process, Layered Analysis, which combines therapist countertransference reports and multi‐faceted microanalytic research approaches. Findings from the application of Layered Analysis to video‐recorded micro‐events of rupture and repair in four psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy sessions are presented. Layered analysis showed that countertransference and observation are complementary…
Trust me, we can sort this out’
Novel psychological theories are often conceived in a general or heuristic form that can benefit from development and granulation through context-specific theory testing. Here, a theory-testing single case study methodology, adapted from an approach developed in the field of psychoanalysis, is presented. The study exemplifies this methodology though an interrogation of the explanatory value of a relatively new child development theory, the theory…
Enhancing parental reflective functioning through early dyadic interventions
Parental reflective functioning (PRF) is an important predictor of infant attachment, and interventions that target parent–infant/toddler dyads who are experiencing significant problems have the potential to improve PRF. A range of dyadic interventions have been developed over the past two decades, some of which explicitly target PRF as part of their theory of change, and some that do not explicitly target PRF, but that have measured it as an out…
No typical care story
Although an understanding of the lived experience of foster care relationships can provide valuable information to guide social work practice and policy, few such studies have been carried out. This article presents findings from a qualitative investigation exploring experiences of relationships between foster carers and the young people in their care. Eight care-experienced young people and nine foster carers participated in interviews and focus…
The assessment of representational risk (ARR)
There are few clinically valid tools that can be used to assess potential parent–infant relational risk. This study describes the development and initial validation of the assessment of representational risk (ARR) coding system to be applied to the parent development interview (Slade, A., Aber, J. L., Bresgi, I., Berger, B., & Kaplan, M. (2004). The Parent Development Interview – Revised . Unpublished protocol. New York, NY: The City University o…
Caregiving representations in war conditions
Risk features in mothers’ caregiving representations remain understudied in dangerous environments where infants most urgently need protective parenting. This pilot study examines the feasibility of a novel coding system for the Parent Development Interview (PDI) interview (ARR, Assessment of Representational Risk) in assessing 50 war‐exposed Palestinian mothers’ caregiving representations. First, we explored the content and structure of risks in…
Studying the process of psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy
This paper presents findings from an intensive, mixed methods case study of one session of psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy (PPIP) addressing early relational trauma, and aims to shed light on the multimodal interactive processes that take place in the moment‐to‐moment exchanges comprising the therapeutic encounter. Different research methods were used on video material from PPIP sessions, including microanalysis of adult–infant interac…
What support would you find helpful?” The relationship between treatment expectations, therapeutic engagement, and clinical outcomes in parent–infant psychotherapy
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pretreatment expectations on clinical outcomes and engagement in Parent–Infant Psychotherapy (PIP). Sixty‐one mothers who were experiencing mental health difficulties and who were receiving PIP with their young infants participated in the study. A mixed‐methodology was used to examine participants’ expectations through transformation content analysis of pretreatment interviews; recurring them…
Randomized Controlled Trial of Parent-Infant Psychotherapy for Parents With Mental Health Problems and Young Infants
There is a dearth of good-quality research investigating the outcomes of psychoanalytic parent-infant psychotherapy (PIP). This randomized controlled trial investigated the outcomes of PIP for parents with mental health problems who also were experiencing high levels of social adversity and their young infants (<12 months). Dyads were clinically referred and randomly allocated to PIP or a control condition of standard secondary and specialist pri…
The Ages & Stages Questionnaire
Mother‐report questionnaires of infant socioemotional functioning are increasingly used to screen for clinical referral to infant mental health services. The validity of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional (ASQ:SE; J. Squires, D. Bricker, K. Heo, & E. Twombly, 2002) was investigated in a sample of help‐seeking mothers with young infants. It was compared with independent observer‐rated dyadic interactions, and the quality of dyadic r…
Young families under stress
Supporting parents has been reinforced as central to improving children's lives. Assessment of needs, however, is crucial to the provision of effective support. This paper focuses upon the assessment of well‐being of mothers and their children in 162 young families experiencing stress in south‐east England and Northern Ireland. A mixed‐methods approach to assessment was adopted and the strengths of using face‐to‐face interviews alongside standard…
The Effectiveness of the Vignette Methodology
Most research addressing issues of victimization, such as date rape, has made use of written vignettes. In this study we investigated whether the same patterns of blame attribution are given for written and video vignettes. Three videos depicting hypothetical heterosexual date rape incidents were made. Each one was based on one of three variables that have been shown to have relevance to evaluations of date rape: “owing”, “leading on” and “alcoho…
The virus spin running out of control
Supporting parents is central to the current government’s approach to improving children’s lives. However, little is as yet known about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of family support services. This study evaluates one of these – Home-Start – which is currently one of the largest family support organisations in the UK. Established over thirty years ago, it offers volunteer home visiting support to families with children under five year…
Randomized Controlled Trial of Parent-Infant Psychotherapy for Parents With Mental Health Problems and Young Infants
There is a dearth of good-quality research investigating the outcomes of psychoanalytic parent-infant psychotherapy (PIP). This randomized controlled trial investigated the outcomes of PIP for parents with mental health problems who also were experiencing high levels of social adversity and their young infants (<12 months). Dyads were clinically referred and randomly allocated to PIP or a control condition of standard secondary and specialist pri…
The Effectiveness of the Vignette Methodology
Most research addressing issues of victimization, such as date rape, has made use of written vignettes. In this study we investigated whether the same patterns of blame attribution are given for written and video vignettes. Three videos depicting hypothetical heterosexual date rape incidents were made. Each one was based on one of three variables that have been shown to have relevance to evaluations of date rape: “owing”, “leading on” and “alcoho…
Studying the process of psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy
This paper presents findings from an intensive, mixed methods case study of one session of psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy (PPIP) addressing early relational trauma, and aims to shed light on the multimodal interactive processes that take place in the moment‐to‐moment exchanges comprising the therapeutic encounter. Different research methods were used on video material from PPIP sessions, including microanalysis of adult–infant interac…
No typical care story
Although an understanding of the lived experience of foster care relationships can provide valuable information to guide social work practice and policy, few such studies have been carried out. This article presents findings from a qualitative investigation exploring experiences of relationships between foster carers and the young people in their care. Eight care-experienced young people and nine foster carers participated in interviews and focus…
Young families under stress
Supporting parents has been reinforced as central to improving children's lives. Assessment of needs, however, is crucial to the provision of effective support. This paper focuses upon the assessment of well‐being of mothers and their children in 162 young families experiencing stress in south‐east England and Northern Ireland. A mixed‐methods approach to assessment was adopted and the strengths of using face‐to‐face interviews alongside standard…
The assessment of representational risk (ARR)
There are few clinically valid tools that can be used to assess potential parent–infant relational risk. This study describes the development and initial validation of the assessment of representational risk (ARR) coding system to be applied to the parent development interview (Slade, A., Aber, J. L., Bresgi, I., Berger, B., & Kaplan, M. (2004). The Parent Development Interview – Revised . Unpublished protocol. New York, NY: The City University o…
Caregiving representations in war conditions
Risk features in mothers’ caregiving representations remain understudied in dangerous environments where infants most urgently need protective parenting. This pilot study examines the feasibility of a novel coding system for the Parent Development Interview (PDI) interview (ARR, Assessment of Representational Risk) in assessing 50 war‐exposed Palestinian mothers’ caregiving representations. First, we explored the content and structure of risks in…
The Ages & Stages Questionnaire
Mother‐report questionnaires of infant socioemotional functioning are increasingly used to screen for clinical referral to infant mental health services. The validity of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional (ASQ:SE; J. Squires, D. Bricker, K. Heo, & E. Twombly, 2002) was investigated in a sample of help‐seeking mothers with young infants. It was compared with independent observer‐rated dyadic interactions, and the quality of dyadic r…
Observing and interpreting clinical process
This paper describes a method for investigating clinical process, Layered Analysis, which combines therapist countertransference reports and multi‐faceted microanalytic research approaches. Findings from the application of Layered Analysis to video‐recorded micro‐events of rupture and repair in four psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy sessions are presented. Layered analysis showed that countertransference and observation are complementary…
What support would you find helpful?” The relationship between treatment expectations, therapeutic engagement, and clinical outcomes in parent–infant psychotherapy
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pretreatment expectations on clinical outcomes and engagement in Parent–Infant Psychotherapy (PIP). Sixty‐one mothers who were experiencing mental health difficulties and who were receiving PIP with their young infants participated in the study. A mixed‐methodology was used to examine participants’ expectations through transformation content analysis of pretreatment interviews; recurring them…
The virus spin running out of control
Supporting parents is central to the current government’s approach to improving children’s lives. However, little is as yet known about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of family support services. This study evaluates one of these – Home-Start – which is currently one of the largest family support organisations in the UK. Established over thirty years ago, it offers volunteer home visiting support to families with children under five year…
The Effectiveness of the Vignette Methodology
Most research addressing issues of victimization, such as date rape, has made use of written vignettes. In this study we investigated whether the same patterns of blame attribution are given for written and video vignettes. Three videos depicting hypothetical heterosexual date rape incidents were made. Each one was based on one of three variables that have been shown to have relevance to evaluations of date rape: “owing”, “leading on” and “alcoho…
Young families under stress
Supporting parents has been reinforced as central to improving children's lives. Assessment of needs, however, is crucial to the provision of effective support. This paper focuses upon the assessment of well‐being of mothers and their children in 162 young families experiencing stress in south‐east England and Northern Ireland. A mixed‐methods approach to assessment was adopted and the strengths of using face‐to‐face interviews alongside standard…
The Ages & Stages Questionnaire
Mother‐report questionnaires of infant socioemotional functioning are increasingly used to screen for clinical referral to infant mental health services. The validity of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional (ASQ:SE; J. Squires, D. Bricker, K. Heo, & E. Twombly, 2002) was investigated in a sample of help‐seeking mothers with young infants. It was compared with independent observer‐rated dyadic interactions, and the quality of dyadic r…
Randomized Controlled Trial of Parent-Infant Psychotherapy for Parents With Mental Health Problems and Young Infants
There is a dearth of good-quality research investigating the outcomes of psychoanalytic parent-infant psychotherapy (PIP). This randomized controlled trial investigated the outcomes of PIP for parents with mental health problems who also were experiencing high levels of social adversity and their young infants (<12 months). Dyads were clinically referred and randomly allocated to PIP or a control condition of standard secondary and specialist pri…
What support would you find helpful?” The relationship between treatment expectations, therapeutic engagement, and clinical outcomes in parent–infant psychotherapy
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pretreatment expectations on clinical outcomes and engagement in Parent–Infant Psychotherapy (PIP). Sixty‐one mothers who were experiencing mental health difficulties and who were receiving PIP with their young infants participated in the study. A mixed‐methodology was used to examine participants’ expectations through transformation content analysis of pretreatment interviews; recurring them…
Caregiving representations in war conditions
Risk features in mothers’ caregiving representations remain understudied in dangerous environments where infants most urgently need protective parenting. This pilot study examines the feasibility of a novel coding system for the Parent Development Interview (PDI) interview (ARR, Assessment of Representational Risk) in assessing 50 war‐exposed Palestinian mothers’ caregiving representations. First, we explored the content and structure of risks in…
Studying the process of psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy
This paper presents findings from an intensive, mixed methods case study of one session of psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy (PPIP) addressing early relational trauma, and aims to shed light on the multimodal interactive processes that take place in the moment‐to‐moment exchanges comprising the therapeutic encounter. Different research methods were used on video material from PPIP sessions, including microanalysis of adult–infant interac…
Enhancing parental reflective functioning through early dyadic interventions
Parental reflective functioning (PRF) is an important predictor of infant attachment, and interventions that target parent–infant/toddler dyads who are experiencing significant problems have the potential to improve PRF. A range of dyadic interventions have been developed over the past two decades, some of which explicitly target PRF as part of their theory of change, and some that do not explicitly target PRF, but that have measured it as an out…
No typical care story
Although an understanding of the lived experience of foster care relationships can provide valuable information to guide social work practice and policy, few such studies have been carried out. This article presents findings from a qualitative investigation exploring experiences of relationships between foster carers and the young people in their care. Eight care-experienced young people and nine foster carers participated in interviews and focus…
The assessment of representational risk (ARR)
There are few clinically valid tools that can be used to assess potential parent–infant relational risk. This study describes the development and initial validation of the assessment of representational risk (ARR) coding system to be applied to the parent development interview (Slade, A., Aber, J. L., Bresgi, I., Berger, B., & Kaplan, M. (2004). The Parent Development Interview – Revised . Unpublished protocol. New York, NY: The City University o…
Trust me, we can sort this out’
Novel psychological theories are often conceived in a general or heuristic form that can benefit from development and granulation through context-specific theory testing. Here, a theory-testing single case study methodology, adapted from an approach developed in the field of psychoanalysis, is presented. The study exemplifies this methodology though an interrogation of the explanatory value of a relatively new child development theory, the theory…
Observing and interpreting clinical process
This paper describes a method for investigating clinical process, Layered Analysis, which combines therapist countertransference reports and multi‐faceted microanalytic research approaches. Findings from the application of Layered Analysis to video‐recorded micro‐events of rupture and repair in four psychoanalytic parent–infant psychotherapy sessions are presented. Layered analysis showed that countertransference and observation are complementary…
Parental Reflective Functioning on the Parent Development Interview
A caregiver's capacity to mentalize is thought to be one of the most important features of secure parent–child relationships. Parental mentalizing can be measured using the Reflective Functioning (RF) coding system applied to the Parent Development Interview (PDI). In this narrative review, we summarize the research using this measure and synthesize what has been learnt about the predictors, correlates and sequelae of parental RF. Studies have co…
The freedom to mentalize
Parental reflective functioning (PRF), a critical construct in the field of infant mental health, has been under investigated in non‐WEIRD countries, where the majority of the world's infants are born. Studies from WEIRD contexts have demonstrated a relationship between socio‐demographic and parental reflective functioning scores. This study used a mixed‐methods concurrent exploratory research design to investigate relationships between socio‐dem…
Psychology (12 works) · Developmental psychology (8 works) · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development (5 works) · Clinical Psychology (5 works) · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum (4 works) · Medicine (4 works) · Mental health (4 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (3 works) · Computer Science (3 works) · Family Support in Illness (3 works)