A Multivariate Study of the Effects of High-Risk Factors on Performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale

Abstract

The Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale was administered to 52 newborn infants. A factor analysis revealed 2 main factors, 1 along an attention-orientation dimension, the other relating to temperament arousal. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that the attention-orientation factor was related to birth weight, age of the mother, and sex and race of the baby. The only variable related to the temperament-arousal factor was 5-min Apgar scor. The study, although exploratory, demonstrates the use of multivariate techniques in the assessment of influences on newborn behavior.

Evidence for interplay between genes and maternal stress in utero: monoamine oxidase A polymorphism moderates effects of life events during pregnancy on infant negative emotionality at 5 weeks

“…The Neonatal Behavioural Assessment (NBAS) was administered to the intensive sample at 5 weeks after birth. The NBAS is a standardized measure designed to assess orienting, motor and emotion regulatory processes during the first weeks of life (Brazelton & Nugent 1995, Lester et al 1976). It is conducted by a trained administrator who carries out, in a prescribed sequence, a range of manoeuvres, designed to elicit the infant's optimal orienting and motor performance, and emotional responses to mildly aversive procedures such as undressing or being brought from lying to sitting.…”

Circumcision, gender differences, and neonatal behavior: An update

“…Of these, 7 studies (Brown et al, 1975;Brown & Fredrickson, 1977;Korner, Kraemer, Haffner & Thoman, 1974;Milewski & Siqueland, 1975;Rieser, Yonas & Wikner, 1976;Rose et al, 1978;Ruff & Halton, 1978) found no gender differences; the remaining 4 (Feldman, Brody & Miller, in press;Hwang, 1978;Jacklin, Snow, & Maccoby, in press: Phillips et al, 1978) have found no consistent results favoring either males or females. None of the 6 studies using siandardized tests has found consistent gender differences (Aleksandrowici & Aleksandrowicz, 1974;Horowitz, Ashton, Culp, Gaddis, Levin & Reichmann, 1977;Lester, Als & Brazelton, in press;Lester, Emory, Hoffman & Eitzman, 1976;Rosenblith, 1974;Sigman, Kopp, Parmelee & Jeffrey, 1973). Similarly, few gender differences in state have been reported, and those that have are inconsistent (Feldman et al, in press;Jacobs & Friedman, 1979;Korner & Thoman, 1973;Phillips et al, 1978;Smith and Steinscheider, 1975).…”

The Development of the NBAS

“…Item-by-item comparisons across the individual NBAS items gave way to approaches based on factor analysis (e.g., Azuma, Malee, Kavanagh, & Deddish, 1991;Jacobson et al, 1986;Lester et al, 1976;Sostek, 1985), but it was Lester's seven-cluster system that became the most widely used system among researchers (Lester, 1984;Mayes, Granger, Frank, Schottenfeld, & Bornstein, 1993;Sagiv et al, 2007). Item-by-item comparisons across the individual NBAS items gave way to approaches based on factor analysis (e.g., Azuma, Malee, Kavanagh, & Deddish, 1991;Jacobson et al, 1986;Lester et al, 1976;Sostek, 1985), but it was Lester's seven-cluster system that became the most widely used system among researchers (Lester, 1984;Mayes, Granger, Frank, Schottenfeld, & Bornstein, 1993;Sagiv et al, 2007).…”