Interactional pattern analysis of mother–baby pairs: Kangaroo mother care versus incubator care

Abstract

Within the field of neonatal care, two approaches have gained prominence – incubator care and kangaroo mother care. Each contributes to a baby’s physiological well-being. The aim of this study was to conduct an investigation into the effects of incubator care and kangaroo mother care from a psychological perspective – specifically an interactional approach – by undertaking interactional pattern analyses of mother–baby pairs receiving incubator care and kangaroo mother care, respectively. Person-centred interviews were conducted and audio recorded with 17 mothers whose babies were receiving either incubator care or kangaroo mother care at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa. Each interview was studied by an independent clinical psychologist trained in observation and, in particular, the interactional pattern analysis and who then completed an adapted interactional pattern analysis questionnaire. The procedure yielded standardised interactional pattern analyses for the mother–baby pairs. Mann–Whitney U tests revealed that, in relation to their babies, the mothers in the kangaroo mother care group yielded significantly more effective interactional patterns than those in the incubator care group, highlighting that, in terms of the interactional approach, kangaroo mother care may be the preferred method of neonatal care.