The Influence of the Mother's Health on Her Child [Abridged]

Abstract

Dr Stuart Carne discusses the influence of depressive illness in the mother in producing feeding difficulties with her child. He stresses the importance of considering this possibility and shows that treatment of the mother's condition results in resolution of the feeding difficulty. Dr Katharina Dalton demonstrates a correlation between repeated colds in children and premenstrual tension in the mother. Her figures show that coryzal episodes in the children occur at the time of the premenstruum in the mother. Dr Ronald Mac Keith emphasizes the importance of establishing empathy between mother and child as early as possible, and shows how the doctor can help in achieving this objective.

Psychiatric Disorders in the Mothers of Disturbed Children

“…Jenkins (1966), using a computer analysis of symptoms and data on five hundred child guidance clinic cases, showed five "symptomatic" groups and stated that "it is the characteristics ofthe mothering persons, however, which most clearly distinguish these groups''. Maternal depression as a factor in producing childhood disorders has been emphasized (Fabian and Donohue, 1956) and its early effects described in the production of infantile feeding problems (Carne, 1966). Studies ofthe effects of maternal psychological tension on the E.C.G.…”

Health visitor perceptions of the oral health behaviours of mothers of pre-school children

“…The health visitors were of the opinion that the child should be seen by the dentist with the family members, thereby advocating the concept of family dental care and the influence of the "important others" and social networks. (Carne, 1966). However, some of these mothers came from a single parent family background and given their work situation, may not always be able to exercise this behaviour.…”

Ideals and realities of the psychiatric out‐patient clinic

“…Marital problems were relevant in 12 of thc 53 married patients (excluding two who were separated); here the family doctor is entitled to put discretion above foolhardiness. But where parent-child relations are involved, as in several ofthe 13 women with children under 5 yr., he is confronted with a therapeutic challenge (Carne, 1966). The young mother who harbours murderous impulses towards her baby is a familiar figure, and the dynamics of the situation do not necessarily call for a sophisticated grasp of psychopathology.…”