Interactions analysis
Diagnostics & Consultation – Interaction Analysis with the CARE-Index
What is the CARE-Index (Child-Adult Relationship Experimental Index)?
The CARE-Index (Crittenden, 2008) is a video-based method for analyzing parent-child interactions during the first 30 months of life. It helps assess parental sensitivity and the responses of infants and young children.
Crittenden, who is in direct scientific relation to the main representatives of attachment theory, Bowlby and Ainsworth, supplemented their work with insights into the cognitive and neurophysiological structures of the brain to develop an instrument for assessing infant/young child interactions with the mother or adult—known as the CARE-Index. The variations in action patterns observed in the assessment of the mother-child dyad can be interpreted based on two key questions: firstly, whether the parents' behavior corresponds to the signals sent by the child to the adult, and secondly, how the corresponding behavioral development of both evolves.
The CARE-Index is a video-based instrument for evaluating early interactions between infants and their mothers or other adults. By assessing parental sensitivity within the dyadic relationship, behaviors that may impair the quality of this relationship and lead to long-term negative consequences for the child's overall development can be identified. Based on the cognitive and emotional information emerging from the interaction between infant/young child and parents, the dyad can be categorized as sensitive, adequate, awkward, and/or at risk.
Regarding cognitive functions, the behavior of both the child and the adult is assessed based on ""turn-taking contingencies"" (role-switching sequences), ""control,"" and ""choice of activity."" Meanwhile, emotional functions (affects) are evaluated through ""facial expression,"" ""vocal expression,"" ""body posture and physical contact,"" as well as ""arousal and affection."" The CARE-Index relies on analyzing a three-minute video recording that captures an interaction between an infant/young child and a mother/adult.
This specific method is suitable for observing dyads in which newborns and toddlers up to 30 months old interact. Furthermore, the CARE-Index serves as an analytical tool for preventing child abuse, neglect, and psychosocial or psychosomatic disorders.
However, the CARE-Index alone does not provide a reliable basis for carrying out an intervention or ensuring appropriate support for the adult and child. To obtain a more comprehensive picture of the dyadic relationship, additional information from the clinical assessment, developmental history, and interviews with the parents is necessary.
Nevertheless, the insights gained from assessing the interaction between infants and parents are highly valuable, as they provide important information about the emotional state of the child and their family. At the same time, these findings contribute to selecting the appropriate supportive framework for the family.
How does the CARE-Index work?
- A three-minute video captures a natural interaction between parent and child.
- Experten analysieren das Verhalten anhand von emotionalen & kognitiven Kriterien.
- The results help identify early signs of attachment insecurities or communication difficulties.
Who can benefit from the analysis?
- Parents who are concerned about their child's development.
- Professionals seeking to identify early attachment issues.
- Preventive work for families facing psychosocial stress or traumatic experiences.
Would you like to learn more?
Let's explore your child's relationship dynamics together.
Preschool Assessment of Attachment (PAA)
The Preschool Assessment of Attachment (PAA) is a scientifically validated procedure for children aged 3 to 6 years. It examines how preschoolers cope with separation, closeness, and stress, and what strategies they use to seek emotional security. In structured play situations, their reactions are observed and evaluated, providing insights into both strengths and possible developmental risks.
Adult Attachment Interview (AAI)
The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) focuses on adults and explores how early attachment experiences shape current relationships. In a semi-structured interview, parents reflect on their own childhood experiences. The analysis looks not only at the content but also at coherence and emotional processing, revealing how these patterns influence parenting and other close relationships.
Child & Parent in Focus
Together, the PAA and the AAI provide a broader view of attachment patterns within the family:
- PAA: shows how children in preschool age manage closeness, separation, and stress.
- AAI: reveals how parents’ own attachment histories shape their current relationships.
- Combination: makes both the child’s strategies and the parents’ patterns visible.
The result: a comprehensive understanding of family relationship dynamics — a valuable foundation for counseling, prevention, and therapeutic support.
