Erica Neri1, Francesca Agostini2, Franco Baldoni2, Elisa Facondini2, Augusto Biasini3, Fiorella Monti2. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: erica.neri4@unibo.it. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy. 3. Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bufalini Hospital, Viale Ghirotti 286, 47521 Cesena, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the severity of prematurity based on birth weight on maternal distress and sensitivity and on infant development. METHODS: Sixty-eight mothers and their preterm babies (30 babies classified into Extremely-Low-Birth Weight-ELBW and 38 into Very-Low-Birth Weight-VLBW) were assessed at 9months of infant corrected age, using: Griffiths Scales for infant development, CARE-Index for maternal sensitivity during 5-minute of mother-infant interaction, and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) for maternal distress. Sixty-six healthy full-term infants (FT) and their mothers were assessed with the same procedure. RESULTS: ELBW, VLBW and FT groups showed similar levels at CARE-Index and PSI-SF. Nevertheless, considering infant development as outcome, a significant interaction between birth weight and maternal distress emerged, with higher Hearing & Language mean quotients in association with Non-Distressed mothers, but only in VLBW infants, compared to FT ones. Also the interaction between birth weight and maternal sensitivity influenced infant development: higher quotients (Eye-hand coordination, Hearing & Language, Locomotor) were significantly associated with sensitive mothers but only in ELBW infants. CONCLUSION: The severity of prematurity, in interaction with the degree of maternal distress and sensitivity, influenced the level of infant development. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Taken together, these results suggest the relevance of considering severity of prematurity and maternal variables in order to implement appropriate interventions for supporting parenting role after a preterm birth and promoting an adequate infant development.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the severity of prematurity based on birth weight on maternal distress and sensitivity and on infant development. METHODS: Sixty-eight mothers and their preterm babies (30 babies classified into Extremely-Low-Birth Weight-ELBW and 38 into Very-Low-Birth Weight-VLBW) were assessed at 9months of infant corrected age, using: Griffiths Scales for infant development, CARE-Index for maternal sensitivity during 5-minute of mother-infant interaction, and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) for maternal distress. Sixty-six healthy full-term infants (FT) and their mothers were assessed with the same procedure. RESULTS: ELBW, VLBW and FT groups showed similar levels at CARE-Index and PSI-SF. Nevertheless, considering infant development as outcome, a significant interaction between birth weight and maternal distress emerged, with higher Hearing & Language mean quotients in association with Non-Distressed mothers, but only in VLBW infants, compared to FT ones. Also the interaction between birth weight and maternal sensitivity influenced infant development: higher quotients (Eye-hand coordination, Hearing & Language, Locomotor) were significantly associated with sensitive mothers but only in ELBW infants. CONCLUSION: The severity of prematurity, in interaction with the degree of maternal distress and sensitivity, influenced the level of infant development. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Taken together, these results suggest the relevance of considering severity of prematurity and maternal variables in order to implement appropriate interventions for supporting parenting role after a preterm birth and promoting an adequate infant development.
Authors: Francesca Agostini; Erica Neri; Federica Genova; Elena Trombini; Alessandra Provera; Augusto Biasini; Marcello Stella Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-02 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Erica Neri; Federica Genova; Marcello Stella; Alessandra Provera; Augusto Biasini; Francesca Agostini Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-22 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Francesca Agostini; Federica Andrei; Erica Neri; Elena Trombini; Francesca Nuccini; Maria Teresa Villani; Lorenzo Aguzzoli; Marcella Paterlini Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-06 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Chiara Suttora; Maria Spinelli; Tiziana Aureli; Mirco Fasolo; Francesca Lionetti; Odoardo Picciolini; Maura Ravasi; Nicoletta Salerni Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-22 Impact factor: 3.390