MATERNAL ACQUAINTANCE WITH ADOPTED AND BIRTH INFANTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was a) to investigate the effects of teaching mothers unique behavioral cues of their adopted infant and b) to learn if there is a difference between mothering of adopted and birth infants. A pretest, post-test experimental prospective design was used with random assignment of mother-adopted infant dyads. Dyads were randomized into experimental and non-experimental groups. Infants were tested using Massie's “Mother infant Attachment Indicators During Stress”. A teaching session of specific behavioral cues was given to only the experimental group. Post-test scoring was evaluated by a blind observer; interrater reliability agreement was 0.90. Mean age of the 17 adoptive mothers was 33±4 years; of the adopted infants was 11±9 weeks. Age matched birth mothers formed the control group. The mean age of the 13 birth mothers was 31±5 years; of the birth infants was 8±9 weeks. Differences demonstrated between birth and adopted dyads were: affect (p<.07), holding (p<.03), infant gazing (p<.05) and maternal gazing (p<.002). Differences between adoptive and birth mothering were reflected in holding (p<.08), touching (p<.05), and vocalizing (p<.03). All mothers were interviewed and the qualitative analyses demonstrated seven themes. We have found a difference in the maternal-adopted infant dyad when compared to birth mother-infant dyads. Mothering of adopted infants may also be changed temporarily by a specific teaching intervention.