MATERNAL CARETAKING AND PLAY WITH FULL-TERM AND PREMATURE INFANTS |
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Authors: | Klaus Minde Marie Perrotta†Peter Marton† |
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Institution: | Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children;The Hinks Treatment Centre, Toronto, Ontario |
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Abstract: | The contribution of past psychological experiences of the mother and medical complications of the infant to differences in caretaking of pre- and full-term infants are examined. Twenty full- and 20 pre-term matched mother-infant dyads were studied during a feed and play 1, 2 and 3 months after the expected date of birth. Full-term infants were more active than pre-terms at 4 weeks only. Mother of pre-terms showed differences in their interactions at all times. Interactions were related to maternal experiences in full-term infants only. Degree of neonatal illness was correlated with behavioral disorganization of premature infants, leading to differences in caretaking style. |
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Keywords: | Prematurity parental behavior comparison full-term/pre-term infant |
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