THE STABILITY OF BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT IN THE FIRST DAYS OF LIFE

Abstract

As part of a research program designed to assess the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale as a predictor of styles of later infant sociability, we examined 12 normal infants daily to determine the stability of the scale over the first 4 days of life. Each day, every infant was assigned a “typology score” of 1, 2 or 3 (high, average, low) for each of 3 dimensions (Interactive, Motor and State Control) according to Brazelton's criteria. Scores for State Control and Motor processes were remarkably stable across the 4 days; most infants scored 2. The interactive process (response to social stimuli including items of visual and auditory orientation, cuddliness and consolability) was less stable across the first 4 days as a result of significantly (p<.025) increased variability on Day 2. Variability was further assessed by comparing mean scores across 4 days for behaviors comprising the Interactive cluster. Scores on Days 1, 3 and 4 were highly correlated (p<.05) while scores on Day 2 did not correlate with other days. These data suggest that as yet unidentified factors related to the infant's second day alter his pattern of interaction with his environment. Perhaps the interactive process is more sensitive than other dimensions to any form of disruption. For predictive purposes, it may be inadvisable to perform behavioral exams on infants on the second day of life, particularly if one includes assessment of interactions with the social (e.g., maternal) environment.