Mother-Child Interactions of Preterm Toddlers

Overview

Journal Noro Psikiyatr Ars

Date 2017 Apr 1

PMID 28360697

Citations 3

Authors

Koray Karabekiroglu

Ipek Akman

Sebnem Kuscu Orhan

Kemal Kuscu

Emel Altuncu

Aytul Karabekiroglu

Murat Yuce

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to investigate the mother-toddler relationship in preterm toddlers.

Methods: The sample consisted of 18 mothers and their preterm toddlers (group 1) and 20 mothers and their fullterm toddlers (group 2). Anxiety and depressive symptom levels, attachment pattern, and parental attitudes of mothers and social-emotional problems and developmental level of the toddlers were explored to assess possible confounding factors in the mother-toddler relationship. Two researchers rated the Parent Infant Relationship Global Assessment Scales (PIRGAS).

Results: Both the mothers in group 1 and group 2 had similar Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores. However, the mothers who gave birth before 32 weeks of gestation had higher trait anxiety scores than others (46±2.4 vs. 42.3±5.4, p=0.01). The groups had similar Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment Scale (BITSEA) problem and competency scores. The parenting style of group 1 revealed that they had higher scores on the Parenting Attitude Research Instrument (PARI) subscale 5 (excessive discipline) (39.6 vs. 32.1; p=0.02).

Conclusion: Mother-toddler interaction and attachment security were found to be similar in fullterm and moderately preterm healthy toddlers. Our findings suggest that not the preterm birth itself but the medical, developmental, and/or neurological consequences of prematurity may affect the mother-toddler interaction. To explore the independent effect of prematurity in mother-toddler dyadic relationship, longitudinally designed studies are warranted.

Citing Articles

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Parent-child attachment in children born preterm and at term: A multigroup analysis.

Ruiz N, Piskernik B, Witting A, Fuiko R, Ahnert L PLoS One. 2018; 13(8):e0202972.

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