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

Abstract

ObjectiveWhile ample research exists about mother-child attachment, so far little focus has been on specifics of father-child attachment. Even less research is available on the nature of the father-child relationship for children born preterm. The objective of this study was to determine whether children born preterm (23 to 37 weeks gestation) differ in their attachment to their fathers and mothers from their term peers (> 37 weeks gestation), and whether specific child characteristics, such as gender, twin status, and developmental status, have an influence on the parent-child relationship.MethodsThe sample consisted of 290 children (n = 140 girls, 48.28%), 190 born before term (including 45 twin pairs) between 12 and 36 months of age (M = 19.5, SD = 5.7) and 100 term children of the same age (M = 18.8, SD = 6.1) with their 245 fathers and mothers. Attachment of the children with their mothers and fathers was assessed using the Attachment Q-sort during two home visits. Children’s developmental status was measured with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.ResultsWithin a multigroup analysis of parents with children born preterm and at term more secure attachment was found for both parents in the term sample than in the preterm group. Correlates of attachment specific to fathers of children born preterm accumulated to an explained variance of R2 = .82. For those fathers, less education as well as lower development scores and male gender of the child were associated with lower attachment scores. In the three other parent-child constellations the explained variance did not exceed 20%. Child development proved to be a significant predictor for father-child attachment regardless of the child’s birth status. Male gender was associated with lower attachment scores for children born preterm with either parent.ConclusionThe findings highlight the importance of including fathers in research and clinical practice and informing them about preterm birth, possible problems, and developmental consequences as well. Health professionals should be advised to create interventions focusing on both parents to enhance the quality of attachment in parent-child dyads in children born preterm.

Reflective functioning in fathers with young children born preterm and at term

“…These results might have important implications for parent-child attachment as recent research has indicated that child-focused RF but not self-focused RF of parents is related to children's attachment security (Borelli, St. John, Cho, & Suchman, 2016). Because mentalization is an essential step to build up and maintain an attachment with children, not surprisingly, father-child attachment scored lower in preterm than at-term children (Ruiz, Piskernik, Witting, Fuiko, & Ahnert, 2018).…”

Vivido paterno do filho prematuro hospitalizado por meio do registro fotográfico

“…2 In the literature, similar results were found in national and international studies on the theme of support, highlighting its importance during the processes. 2,4,19,20 Caring requires the establishment of a face-to-face relationship, which Schütz defines as one in which the subjects involved are aware of each other and are facing each other in the same time and space. 16 Fathers need to be protagonists of their children's care in a NICU, however, they are still seen as supporting actors, especially after the arrival of the mother in this scenario, having their access restricted to visiting hours.…”

“…However, this same environment, capable of keeping their baby alive, is responsible for the interruption of the first contacts between father and child. 4,20 Another important fact is related to the current family configuration, in which the emergence of a more affective father model is observed, as well as a more participative model in activities related to the family, which contradicts the hegemonic paternity model. 1,2 The activity of recording the photographic images of the preterm child during hospitalization provided motivation, that is, a stimulus during the understanding of the care process.…”

A guided participation nursing intervention to theraupeutic positioning and care (GP_Posit) for mothers of preterm infants: protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial

“…While in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the preterm infant's brain requires nurturing, that being responsive and sensitive caregiving, in order to develop optimally [1]. Maternal sensitivity is the primary predictor of long-term mother-infant attachment [2] and less secure attachment has been found in 1 to 3 years of age children born preterm compared to children born at term [3]. An increase in maternal sensitivity also predicts larger gray matter volume and head circumference in a general population of infants [4].…”