What helps the mother of a preterm infant become securely attached, responsive and well-adjusted?

Journal article

Evans, Tracey, Whittingham, Koa and Boyd, Roslyn. (2012). What helps the mother of a preterm infant become securely attached, responsive and well-adjusted? Infant Behavior and Development. 35(1), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.10.002
AuthorsEvans, Tracey, Whittingham, Koa and Boyd, Roslyn
Abstract

Objective
To investigate the relationship between the predictor variables of experiential avoidance, relationship satisfaction, prenatal expectations (compared to postnatal experience) and postpartum support, and the criterion variables of maternal attachment, maternal psychological symptoms and maternal responsiveness, after controlling for birth weight.

Design
A quantitative survey study.

Method
The participants were 127 mothers of preterm infants (delivery prior to 37 weeks gestation, <24 months corrected age) recruited through parent support organisations. The web-based survey included measures of: demographics, postpartum support and prenatal expectations (compared to postnatal experience)—all designed for this study, as well as maternal attachment, (MPAS) maternal responsiveness (MIRI), experiential avoidance (AAQ), maternal psychological symptoms (DASS-21) and relationship satisfaction (RQI). Three standard multiple regression analyses were conducted.

Results
The combined effects of experiential avoidance, relationship satisfaction, prenatal expectations (compared to postnatal experience) and postpartum support accounted for a significant 21% of variance in maternal attachment, Fch (4,121) = 8.01, p < .001, a significant 38% of variance in maternal psychological symptoms Fch (4,121) = 18.38, p < .001, and a significant 11% of variance in maternal responsiveness, Fch (4,121) = 3.78, p = .013 after controlling for birth weight.

Conclusion
The four predictor variables predicted maternal attachment, psychological symptoms and responsiveness after controlling for birth weight, with experiential avoidance being the most important predictor, followed by prenatal expectations (compared to postnatal experience), relationship satisfaction, then postpartum support. This has implications for designing interventions to optimise attachment and responsiveness, and minimise psychological symptoms, in mothers of infants born preterm.

Keywordspreterm infant; maternal attachment; maternal psychological symptoms; maternal responsiveness
Year2012
JournalInfant Behavior and Development
Journal citation35 (1), pp. 1-11
PublisherElsevier Inc.
ISSN0163-6383
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.10.002
PubMed ID22078206
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84855207970
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online10 Nov 2011
Publication process dates
Accepted18 Oct 2011
Deposited16 Feb 2025
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