Instruments for assessing parent-infant relationships: a scoping review protocol

List of Authors

  1. Sónia Brandão ,  
  2. Patrícia Souto
    ,  
  3. Andreia Soares Gonçalves ,  
  4. Rosa Silva ,  
  5. Paula Prata ,  
  6. Anat Talmon
    ,  
  7. Ewa Gieysztor
    ,  
  8. Patrícia Gonçalves
    ,  
  9. Semra Pinar
    ,  
  10. Nicola Carone ,  
  11. Tânia Brandão
    ,  
  12. Alena Lochmannová ,  
  13. Özlem Şensoy ,  
  14. Esra Ardahan Akgül
    ,  
  15. Kristiina Uriko ,  
  16. Seda Ardahan Sevgili ,  
  17. Elif Bulut
    ,  
  18. Dora d'Orsi ,  
  19. Rajesh Shigdel
    ,  
  20. Demet Gülaldı ,  
  21. Otília Freitas
    ,  
  22. Pelin Dikmen-Yildiz ,  
  23. Lence Miloseva ,  
  24. Mirlinda Markaj
    ,  
  25. Gilberta Sousa
    ,  
  26. Pinar Gencpinar
    ,  
  27. Aycin Ezgi Onel ,  
  28. Carmen Power
    ,  
  29. Özlem Koç
    ,  
  30. Tuğçe Sönmez
    ,  
  31. Diana Azevedo ,  
  32. Edanur Tar Tar Bolacali ,  
  33. Bahar Aksoy ,  
  34. Burcu Kömürcü Akik
    ,  
  35. Ayça Demir Yıldırım ,  
  36. Hazal Özdemir Koyu
    ,  
  37. Wilson Abreu
    ,  
  38. Tuğba Yılmaz Esencan ,  
  39. Margarida Reis Santos ,  
  40. Mário Santos ,  
  41. Remziye Can ,  
  42. Anna-Lena Zietlow
    ,  
  43. Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez
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Abstract

Background

The parent-infant relationship plays a central role in early emotional, cognitive, and social development. Difficulties in bonding, interaction, attachment, or parental sensitivity during the first two years of life may have lasting consequences for children and families, making early identification essential for timely support and intervention. Although a range of instruments has been developed to assess parent-infant relational processes, the evidence remains dispersed, and no comprehensive mapping of instruments specifically applicable from birth to 24 months has been identified. This scoping review aims to map the instruments used to assess parent-infant relationships during the first 24 months of life and to describe their main characteristics.

Methods

This scoping review protocol follows the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Studies describing instruments used to assess the parent-infant relationship among parents of typically developing infants aged 0–24 months will be considered across any clinical, community, research, or cultural context. Eligible instruments may assess bonding, interaction, attachment, parental sensitivity, or related relational dimensions. Studies involving preterm infants, infants with medical conditions or developmental disorders, or instruments focused exclusively on parental stress or mental health without explicit assessment of relational dynamics will be excluded. A three-step search strategy will be used to identify published and unpublished studies and grey literature. Two reviewers will independently screen records, extract data using a piloted charting form, and summarise findings in tables and descriptive narrative form. The final scoping review will be reported in accordance with the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). This review will provide an overview of available instruments, their characteristics, contexts of use, psychometric properties, adaptations, and short-form versions. This protocol is registered in the Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/HRVX9).

Plain Language Summary

The relationship between a parent and a baby is very important during the first two years of life. Early experiences of closeness, emotional connection, and day-to-day interaction can influence a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. When difficulties in this relationship are identified early, families can receive support sooner.

Many tools have been created to assess the parent-infant relationship. These include questionnaires, observation tools, interviews, and rating scales. However, the available information is spread across many studies, and it is not easy to know which instruments exist, what they measure, or in which settings they have been used.

This article presents the protocol for a scoping review. A protocol is a step-by-step plan that explains how the review will be carried out. Our review will identify and map instruments used to assess the parent-infant relationship from birth to 24 months of age. We will include studies from different countries and settings, such as healthcare, community, and research contexts. We will focus on typically developing infants and on instruments that assess aspects such as bonding, interaction, attachment, and parental sensitivity.

The findings will help researchers and health professionals better understand which instruments are available, how they are used, and where important gaps still exist.

Corresponding author
Sónia Brandão
0000-0001-8765-8240
Grant information

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No [CA22114](Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising infants´development ).

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Copyright
© 2026 Sónia Brandão (Corresponding Author, Co-Author); Patrícia Souto (Co-Author); Andreia Soares Gonçalves (Co-Author); Rosa Silva (Co-Author); Paula Prata (Co-Author); Anat Talmon (Co-Author); Ewa Gieysztor (Co-Author); Patrícia Gonçalves (Co-Author); Semra Pinar (Co-Author); Nicola Carone (Co-Author); Tânia Brandão (Co-Author); Alena Lochmannová (Co-Author); Özlem Şensoy (Co-Author); Esra Ardahan Akgül (Co-Author); Kristiina Uriko (Co-Author); Seda Ardahan Sevgili (Co-Author); Elif Bulut (Co-Author); Dora d'Orsi (Co-Author); Rajesh Shigdel (Co-Author); Demet Gülaldı (Co-Author); Otília Freitas (Co-Author); Pelin Dikmen-Yildiz (Co-Author); Lence Miloseva (Co-Author); Mirlinda Markaj (Co-Author); Gilberta Sousa (Co-Author); Pinar Gencpinar (Co-Author); Aycin Ezgi Onel (Co-Author); Carmen Power (Co-Author); Özlem Koç (Co-Author); Tuğçe Sönmez (Co-Author); Diana Azevedo (Co-Author); Edanur Tar Tar Bolacali (Co-Author); Bahar Aksoy (Co-Author); Burcu Kömürcü Akik (Co-Author); Ayça Demir Yıldırım (Co-Author); Hazal Özdemir Koyu (Co-Author); Wilson Abreu (Co-Author); Tuğba Yılmaz Esencan (Co-Author); Margarida Reis Santos (Co-Author); Mário Santos (Co-Author); Remziye Can (Co-Author); Anna-Lena Zietlow (Co-Author); Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez (Co-Author) Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Authors & roles

Sónia Brandão

Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

RISE-Health Research Unit, Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

Roles
Corresponding Author, Co-Author, Conceptualization, Methodology, Project Administration, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0001-8765-8240

Patrícia Souto

Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

RISE-Health Research Unit, Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Andreia Soares Gonçalves

RISE-Health Research Unit, Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Health Sciences Research Unit (UICISA:E), Coimbra, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0003-2311-8215

Rosa Silva

Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

RISE-Health Research Unit, Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-3947-7098

Paula Prata

Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

RISE-Health Research Unit, Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0001-7552-9716

Anat Talmon

Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem District, Israel

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Ewa Gieysztor

Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Patrícia Gonçalves

Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

RISE-Health Research Unit, Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Semra Pinar

Department of Midwifery, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam University, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, Kahramanmaras, Kahramanmaraş Province, Turkey

School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, England, UK

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Nicola Carone

Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0003-3696-9641

Tânia Brandão

William James Center for Research, Ispa – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Alena Lochmannová

Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0001-7822-0204

Özlem Şensoy

Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye, Istanbul, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0001-7709-7021

Esra Ardahan Akgül

Faculty of Health Sciences, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Türkiye, Izmir, İzmir, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Kristiina Uriko

Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, School of Natural Sciences and Health, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0003-0644-4473

Seda Ardahan Sevgili

Faculty of Nursing, Ege University, Izmir, Türkiye, Izmir, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0001-6544-2588

Elif Bulut

Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Türkiye, Tokat, Tokat, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Dora d'Orsi

William James Center for Research, Ispa – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0003-0537-1815

Rajesh Shigdel

Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Demet Gülaldı

Faculty of Health Sciences, Child Development, Uskudar University, Istanbul, Türkiye, Istanbul, İstanbul, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-8971-9737

Otília Freitas

School of Health, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

RISE-HEALTH, School of Health, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Pelin Dikmen-Yildiz

Department of Psychology, Kırklareli University, Kirklareli, Türkiye, Kırklareli, Kırklareli, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-0496-3897

Lence Miloseva

Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delcev University, Stip, North Macedonia, Shtip, Municipality of Shtip, North Macedonia

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0001-7574-0327

Mirlinda Markaj

Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Bratislava Region, Slovakia

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Gilberta Sousa

School of Health, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

RISE-HEALTH, School of Health, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Pinar Gencpinar

Neuroscience Center, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Türkiye, Izmir, İzmir, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Aycin Ezgi Onel

Faculty of Nursing, Ege University, Izmir, Türkiye, Izmir, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-4720-6685

Carmen Power

Independent psychologist, consultant and educator, Bristol, UK

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Özlem Koç

Faculty of Health Sciences, Tarsus University, Mersin, Türkiye, Tarsus, Mersin Province, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Tuğçe Sönmez

Faculty of Health Sciences, Tarsus University, Mersin, Türkiye, Tarsus, Mersin Province, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Diana Azevedo

Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ULS Braga, Braga, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0003-2848-3748

Edanur Tar Tar Bolacali

Faculty of Health Sciences, Kirsehir Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Türkiye, Kırşehir, Kırşehir, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0001-8821-8554

Bahar Aksoy

Kumluca Faculty of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye, Antalya, Antalya, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0003-0466-5918

Burcu Kömürcü Akik

Department of Psychology, Ankara University, Faculty of Languages and History-Geography, Ankara, Türkiye, Ankara, Ankara, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Ayça Demir Yıldırım

Department of Midwifery, Uskudar University, Istanbul, Türkiye, Istanbul, İstanbul, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0001-8385-3954

Hazal Özdemir Koyu

Nursing Faculty, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye, Ankara, Ankara, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Wilson Abreu

Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

RISE-Health Research Unit, Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Tuğba Yılmaz Esencan

Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Uskudar University, Istanbul, Türkiye, Istanbul, İstanbul, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-8748-0793

Margarida Reis Santos

Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

RISE-Health Research Unit, Nursing School of Porto, University of Porto (ESEP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-7948-9317

Mário Santos

RISE-Health, Santarém Polytechnic University, Santarém, Portugal

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-4804-1843

Remziye Can

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Vocational and Technical High School, Ankara, Türkiye, Ankara, Turkey

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-0254-5958

Anna-Lena Zietlow

Faculty of Psychology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing

Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez

Instituto de Investigacion Biosanitaria de Granada, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Department of Nursing, University of Granada, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Roles
Co-Author, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-0565-1123

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