Peer-reviewed article

Swedish health professional's perceptions of Interplay, a digital support tool for parents' couple relationship and parenting.

Holst A, Bäckström C, Engström H, Larsson M, Lygnegård F · 5 Aug 2026

Abstract

Introduction Professional support is known to promote parents' transition to parenthood, however, there is a need for continued development in parental support to meet parents' needs and support them in their couple relationship. In Scandinavia a digital parental support tool, Interplay, has been developed for parents to use in their relationship during the transition to parenthood. However, research is needed on how a digital support tool such as Interplay can be included in care and professional support for parents. Therefore, the current study aims to explore how professionals perceive Interplay as a digital support tool for parents' couple relationship and parenting. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 professionals who had used Interplay. The professionals were working with parental support in Swedish antenatal care, child health care and family counselling. Data were analyzed using phenomenographic analysis method. Results The results are presented in two descriptive categories: A complementary interactive parental support tool and May facilitate parental transition and be valuable to include in care. Conclusion Interplay has the potential to be a valuable complement to existing parental support, as it could function as a modern tool that can be used by both parents together in their everyday lives to communicate on topics related to their relationship and parenting. It would be valuable to include Interplay in care as it could be combined with professional expertise, which may lead to enhanced parental support.