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    What helps the mother of a preterm infant become securely attached, responsive and well-adjusted?

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Evans, T.
    Whittingham, K.
    Boyd, Roslyn
    Date
    2012
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Evans, T. and Whittingham, K. and Boyd, R. 2012. What helps the mother of a preterm infant become securely attached, responsive and well-adjusted?. Infant Behavior and Development. 35 (1): pp. 1-11.
    Source Title
    Infant Behavior and Development
    DOI
    10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.10.002
    ISSN
    0163-6383
    School
    School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/26913
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Objective: To investigate the relationship between the predictor variables of experiential avoidance, relationship satisfaction, prenatal expectations (compared to postnatal experience) and postpartum support, and the criterion variables of maternal attachment, maternal psychological symptoms and maternal responsiveness, after controlling for birth weight. Design: A quantitative survey study. Method: The participants were 127 mothers of preterm infants (delivery prior to 37 weeks gestation, <24 months corrected age) recruited through parent support organisations. The web-based survey included measures of: demographics, postpartum support and prenatal expectations (compared to postnatal experience)-all designed for this study, as well as maternal attachment, (MPAS) maternal responsiveness (MIRI), experiential avoidance (AAQ), maternal psychological symptoms (DASS-21) and relationship satisfaction (RQI). Three standard multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results: The combined effects of experiential avoidance, relationship satisfaction, prenatal expectations (compared to postnatal experience) and postpartum support accounted for a significant 21% of variance in maternal attachment, Fch (4,121) = 8.01, p<.001, a significant 38% of variance in maternal psychological symptoms Fch (4,121) = 18.38, p<.001, and a significant 11% of variance in maternal responsiveness, Fch (4,121) = 3.78, p=.013 after controlling for birth weight. Conclusion: The four predictor variables predicted maternal attachment, psychological symptoms and responsiveness after controlling for birth weight, with experiential avoidance being the most important predictor, followed by prenatal expectations (compared to postnatal experience), relationship satisfaction, then postpartum support. This has implications for designing interventions to optimise attachment and responsiveness, and minimise psychological symptoms, in mothers of infants born preterm. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.

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