Preterm behavior, maternal adjustment, and competencies in the newborn period: What influence do they have at 12 months postnatal age?

Abstract

This article examines whether preterm newborns' behavior and their mother's adjustment to the premature birth and infant hospitalization have an influence on subsequent infant development and behavior, maternal adjustment, and mother-infant relationship. The behavioral competencies of 42 well, singleton preterm infants (mean gestational age ϭ 31 weeks) were assessed, as were their mothers' adjustment (depression and coping) and competencies (knowledge of child development). At 12 months of postnatal age, child competencies (development and behavior) were assessed, together with maternal adjustment (parenting stress and depression). Mother-infant interaction also was observed. Regression analyses indicated that in the newborn period, maternal positive reappraisal and a planful coping style, more knowledge of child development, and previous experience with baby-sitting were associated with better infant development (p ϭ .002), maternal adjustment (p ϭ .012), and mother-child relationship (p ϭ .002) at 12 months. Newborn infant muscle-tone maturity was predictive of better motor quality at 12 months (p ϭ .011), and being a firstborn infant who was more sleepy and drowsy was associated with subsequent higher maternal parenting stress (p ϭ .007). Social and educational support groups combined with an approach that assists mothers to develop problem-solving coping styles may have a beneficial influence on infant development. Direct correspondence to: M. Veddovi, Royal North Shore Hospital, Chatswood Assessment Centre, 46 Hercules Street, Chatswood, New South Wales, 2067, Australia; e-mail: mveddovi@doh.health.nsw.gov.au. Preterm Behavior • 581RESUMEN: Este ensayo examina el hecho de si la conducta de un infante nacido prematuramente y la adaptación de la madre al nacimiento antes de tiempo y a la hospitalización del infante ejercen influencia sobre el subsecuente desarrollo y conducta del infante, la adaptación de la madre y la relación entre madre e infante. Las aptitudes de conducta de 42 infantes nacidos prematuramente, bien diferenciados, (promedio de edad gestacional de 31 semanas), fueron evaluadas, así como también lo fue la adaptación de la madre (la depresión y el hecho de enfrentarse a la situación) y sus aptitudes (conocimiento del desarrollo del niño). A los doce meses de edad postnatal, las aptitudes del niño (desarrollo y conducta) fueron evaluadas, junto con la adaptación materna (el estrés relacionado con la crianza y la depresión). También se observó la interacción entre la madre y su infante. Los análisis de regresión indicaron que en el período del recién nacido la positiva revaloración maternal y un estilo de adaptación planeado, así como un mayor conocimiento del desarrollo del niño y la anterior experiencia con el cuidado de niños fueron asociados con un mejor desarrollo del infante (p ϭ .002), con la adaptación materna (p ϭ .012), y con la relación entre madre e infante (p ϭ .002) a los doce meses. La madurez de la firmeza de los músculos del infante recién nacido indicó la presencia de...

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