Infant Characteristics Questionnaire Research Articles

Infant temperament with anxiety postpartum mothers in primary health care Sleman, Indonesia

Introduction: Changes in psychological conditions after childbirth often occur, one of which is anxiety. During the postpartum period, anxiety is a common disorder that occurs in as many as 30% of women, with at least one episode of anxiety in their lifetime. Anxiety in postpartum mothers is caused by the infant, who has an easy or difficult temperament. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between infant temperament and anxiety in postpartum mothers in ​​the Sleman Yogyakarta Public Health Center. Methods: This type of research is a non-experimental quantitative with a cross-sectional approach involving 80 samples of postpartum mothers aged up to the first six weeks in the Sleman Yogyakarta Public Health Center. Sampling with a purposive sampling technique. The instruments used were the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rate Scale (HARS). The statistical test used in this research is Chi-Square. Results: Most infant temperaments were easy (68.8%) and mild postpartum anxiety (50%). Statistical test results show a p-value of 0.001. Conclusion: An infant's temperament influences anxiety in postpartum mothers. Nurses must improve the quality of maternity nursing care services through education and early detection to prevent postpartum anxiety.

The Role of Motor Coordination, ADHD-Related Characteristics and Temperament among Mothers and Infants in Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Cohort Prospective Study.

Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life, breastfeeding rates are low. Motor skills and ADHD-related characteristics have not yet been examined as breastfeeding barriers. The aim of this study was to explore whether mothers’ and infants’ motor skills, mothers’ ADHD-related characteristics and infants’ temperament are associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months after birth. Participants were 164 mothers and their infants recruited 2 days after birth. Mothers completed a demographic and delivery information questionnaire, the Infant Feeding Intentions Scale and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale. At 6 months, mothers completed the Adult DCD (developmental coordination disorder)/Dyspraxia Checklist, the Adult ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist-v1.1, and the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire, and provided information about their breastfeeding status. They were then divided into two groups accordingly: EBF (exclusive breastfeeding) and NEBF (non-exclusive breastfeeding). Infants were observed using the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. At 6 months, NEBF mothers reported higher prevalence of DCD (10.2% vs. 1.9%, χ2 = 5.561, p = 0.018) and ADHD (20.3% vs. 8.6%, χ2 = 4.680, p = 0.030) compared to EBF mothers. EBF infants demonstrated better motor coordination (t = 2.47, p = 0.016, d = 0.511), but no temperament differences compared to NEBF infants. Maternal DCD, ADHD and poor infant motor coordination are associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding and may become exclusive breastfeeding barriers. These findings may assist in identifying women at risk of not exclusively breastfeeding and encourage tailoring interventions for achieving higher exclusive breastfeeding rates.

Factors associated with maternal overall quality of life six months postpartum: a cross sectional study from The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study

BackgroundHaving good Quality of Life (QoL) is essential, particularly for women after childbirth. However, little is known about the factors associated with maternal QoL after giving birth. We aimed to investigate the relationship between characteristics of the mother (socio-demographic variables), selected symptoms (depression and joy/anger), health perception (perception of birth) and possible characteristics of the environment (infant temperament, colic, sleep, parental relationship), with mothers’ overall quality of life when the child is 6 months of age.MethodsThis study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), conducted at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health from June 1999 to December 2008, which included a total of 86,724 children. Maternal QoL was assessed by the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Joy and anger were measured using the Differential Emotional Scale, mothers’ mental health was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and satisfaction with relationship was measured using the Relationship Satisfaction Scale. Child temperament was measured using the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire and colic, sleep duration and feelings related to childbirth were assessed by mothers’ reports. The associations between life satisfaction and selected variables were analysed using stepwise multiple linear regression models, and the results are presented as effect sizes (ES).ResultsMaternal feelings of joy of having a baby (ES = 0.35), high relationship satisfaction (ES = 0.32), as well as having a baby with normal sleep (ES = 0.31), are factors associated with higher maternal overall QoL. Postnatal depression was negatively associated with mothers’ QoL, and infant colic or child’s temperament (fussiness) showed no such association with mothers’ QoL.ConclusionsHealth professionals and clinicians should focus on infants sleep but also on supporting joy of motherhood and strengthening relationships of the new parents when they develop health interventions or provide counselling to new mothers and their families.

The Factors Influencing Fatigue of Postpartum Mothers

Background: Postpartum mothers are likely to experience physical and psychological changes. A new role as a parent provides new tasks for mothers in baby care. Most postpartum mothers experience fatigue after labor. Postpartum fatigue is affected by the baby and family. This study aims to identify factors associated with postpartum fatigue.Method: A cross-sectional study was designed. The sample in this research was 102 postpartum mothers who lived with her family in Bantul Yogyakarta. They were taken by using simple random sampling. The data were collected through the Postpartum Fatigue Scale (PFS), infant characteristic questionnaire (ICQ), and social support questionnaire. Factors associated with postpartum fatigue were analyzed using multiple logistic regressions.Results: Most of the respondents had a moderate level of fatigue (48%). Social support was found significant as the determinant factor of postpartum mother (AOR=4,38, 95% CI 1,709 – 11,256, p= 0,002).Conclusion: Respondents with a low social support level showed a significantly higher level of postpartum fatigue than respondents with good social support. It is essential to assist the family in helping mothers in infant care and postpartum care in the postpartum period. The factor associated with postpartum fatigue included infant temperament and family income.

The outcome of an attachment-based infant mental health therapeutic play programme on infant temperament, parent-infant relationship & maternal reflective functioning

AimsIn the Philippines, there is a need for preventive, early intervention programs for perinatal and infant mental health. This is the first local study that investigated an attachment-based, therapeutic play programme (Baby Bonding) on infant temperament, parent-infant relationship and maternal reflecting functioning.BackgroundThis study was an effort towards bridging the “10/90 gap in infant mental health research” wherein 90% of the world's infants are born in low- middle-income countries (Population Reference Bureau, 2013b) and “only 10% of the worldwide spending on health research is directed towards the problems that primarily affect the poorest 90% of the world's population (Tomlinson et al., 2014).MethodPhase I involved local validation of the Parent-Rated Outcome Measures (PROM)- Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ), Mother Object Relations Scale (MORS) and Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ).Healthy mother-baby dyads, from the low socio-economic stratum, were screened using Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) and Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS).Phase II carried out randomized controlled design wherein mother-baby dyads were enrolled either in the usual care group or the 6-weekly Baby Bonding intervention.Result102 mothers answered the PROM. Their responses constituted the training set of the study tools. Baseline responses of the mothers from the usual care (N = 51) and intervention (N = 53) groups formed the evaluation set for the Filipino- translated instruments. In both the training and evaluation sets, if certain identified questions were to be removed from the PROM, better and acceptable Cronbach values were consistently generated.There were no statistical differences on parent-infant relationship and reflective functioning between the usual care and intervention group. There was movement of the intervention group from high-challenging onto intermediate to low-levels of challenging temperament in the dull-dimension of the ICQ after 6 sessions. In comparison, infants in the control group remained in the high-challenging temperament after 6 weeks of usual care.ConclusionLinguistically validated study instruments (ICQ and MORS) provided accurate assessments of infant temperament and parent-child relationship. The Filipino-translated PRFQ has limited validity in evaluating parental reflective functioning (RF). “On-line” measures that video mother-baby interactions could have better captured changes in RF. As measured by the dull dimension of the ICQ, the Baby Bonding programme improved sociability of the infants (7 months or younger).

Psychometric properties of Arabic translated temperament instrument

BackgroundInvestigating temperament has been a multi-subject exercise that attempts to determine the contribution of temperament to additional measurable phenomena like behavior. The existing research not only evaluates temperament as a variable with the ability to influence additional characteristics but has included interventions that can result in adapted outcomes. Develop an Arabic translation of the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ). PurposeExamine the psychometric properties of the translation and establish modified criteria for evaluating the questionnaire. MethodsCross sectional design was used. Translation of the ICQ was achieved through translation/back translation. The population that used the ICQ translation on convenience sample of 40 Arabic-speaking women with children between the ages of 3–12‐months old; this same group also completed a demographic survey. ResultsThe internal consistency of the translated instrument was almost equivalent to or higher than the reported from the United States (US) review. The alpha coefficients calculated from subscales varied between .47 and .87. ConclusionThis research study described the translation of the ICQ into the Arabic language for use in the research and clinical setting. The ICQ is a useful tool for evaluating infant difficulty by describing and summarizing parents’ ratings.

Social support buffers the effects of maternal prenatal stress on infants' unpredictability

ObjectiveExposure to stress in pregnancy has been shown to affect fetal development with short- and long-term physiological and behavioral consequences for the offspring. Although social support is known to lower perceived stress, no prior study has investigated the buffering role of social support in the context of prenatal stress effects on infant temperament. The aim of this study was to examine interactive effects of prenatal stress and social support on several dimensions of infant temperament at 9 months postpartum. Study designA total of 272 mothers completed the Perceived Stress Scale and the Perceived Social Support Scale in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Infant temperament was assessed by mothers at 9 months postpartum using the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire. Linear regression models were performed to assess the effects of perceived stress, social support, and their interaction on infant temperament. ResultsPrenatal stress interacted with social support, such that prenatal stress increased infant unpredictability when social support was below -0.5 SD. ConclusionsPrenatal stress was found to be a risk factor for infant temperamental unpredictability when combined with low social support perceived by the mother during pregnancy. Support of others, not previously examined in this context, can reduce the impact of prenatal stress.

The role of maternal mental health, infant temperament, and couple’s relationship quality for mother-infant bonding

ABSTRACT Background Mother-infant bonding is the early emotional connection between mother and infant. It is affected by some aspects of maternal mental health, infant temperament, and the quality of a couple’s relationship. Objective This research aimed to determine the associations of the mother’s postnatal depression and anxiety symptoms, infant temperament, and the quality of the couple’s relationship with mother-infant bonding. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 241 Croatian mothers of infants aged between one month and one year (Mage = 6.34 months). The psychological instruments used in this study were: Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Infant Characteristic Questionnaire, and Perceived Quality of Marital Relationship Scale . Results Hierarchical regression analyses showed that previous maternal depression longer than two weeks, postnatal depression and anxiety symptoms, and difficult and unpredictable infant temperament were associated with self-report of poorer mother-infant bonding. Of the examined variables, the quality of the couple’s relationship was in the lowest association with mother-infant bonding. Conclusion Given the importance of, in particular, the maternal depression and infant temperament for poor mother-infant bonding, early intervention and the reduction of risks factors may be necessary to prevent the development of such difficulties.

Early infant temperament shapes the nature of mother-infant bonding in the first postpartum year

ObjectiveThis study examined longitudinal relations between maternal bonding and infant temperament in the first nine months after birth. DesignOur sample consisted of 281 women, enrolled at five maternity hospitals, who completed questionnaires during the first week (T1), at six weeks (T2) and nine months postpartum (T3). Maternal bonding was assessed using the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale at T1 and T2 and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire at T3. Infant temperament was measured using the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire, completed by the mothers at T2 and T3. ResultsThe results of a path model showed a long-term effect flowing from the child to the mother, with infant temperament at T2 predicting maternal bonding at T3 over and above stability in bonding. At T3, bonding was linked more strongly to child temperament at T2 than to child temperament assessed concurrently at T3. Maternal bonding did predict infant temperament, but this was true only of bonding reported at T1 and infant temperament at T2, that is, not of bonding assessed at T2 and infant temperament at T3. ConclusionOur results indicate that maternal bonding in the first week postpartum may temporarily affect child temperament, but infant’s temperament several weeks after birth – rather than several months postpartum – plays a pervasive role in shaping the long-lasting nature of the mother-child relationship. Our findings thus seem to support the suggestion that the early postpartum weeks represent an important period in the development of maternal bonding.

Factors that Predict Infant Temperament: A Jordanian Study

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to test the association between infant temperament and factors such as socioeconomic status, infant age, breastfeeding, and marital satisfaction. Design and methodsA cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 278 Arabic speaking Jordanian women with infants in their first year of life from three health centers in Irbid, Jordan. The temperament of the infant was assessed using the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ), a 20-item tool where the mothers were asked to provide a rating of infant behavior on a 5-point scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25. ResultsDescriptive statistics were used to summarize characteristics of the participants. Multiple regressions showed a significant model of factors that correlate to infant temperament (F = 2.930, p = .01); having assistance to care for the infant (B = 3.058, p = .019), marital satisfaction (B = −0.127, p = .049), and infant feeding method (B = 0.147, p = .016) were the only significant predictors for infant temperament. ConclusionMarital satisfaction, feeding method, and assistance in caring for the infant are factors that predict infant temperament. Moreover, some aspects of these factors are modifiable.Practice Implications: Nurses should be aware of the factors that are associated with infant temperament so that they can teach the family, ‘teachers’ in daycare centers, and the public about potential moderators of infant temperament.

Neonatal Negative Emotionality and the Child Behavior Checklist-Dysregulation Profile (CBCL-DP) in middle childhood

ABSTRACT Objective: Determine whether an association exists between neonatal negative emotionality and childhood emotional dysregulation. Background: The Child Behaviour Checklist-Dysregulation Profile (CBCL-DP) has been used as a measure of emotional dysregulation in childhood. Although there is now good evidence that the CBCL-DP predicts later psychopathology, little is known about what factors predict elevations on the CBCL-DP. Methods: 30 mother-child dyads who previously participated in a study of neonatal temperament were recruited to a follow-up study of emotional dysregulation during middle childhood. The Neonatal Behaviour Assessment Scale (NBAS) and the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ) were utilised as observer and maternal measures of neonatal negative emotionality, respectively. Maternal post-partum depression was also measured during the neonatal period using the Edinburgh Post-Partum Depression Scale (EPDS). The Child Behaviour Checklist-Dysregulation Profile (CBCL-DP) was used as a measure of childhood emotional dysregulation. Results: The ICQ fussy-difficult scale was significantly correlated with the CBCL-DP score (r = .46, p = .010), and this correlation remained significant after controlling for maternal EPDS score (CBCL-DP r = .51, p = .01). The NBAS irritability score was not associated with the CBCL-DP score. Conclusions: This association provides preliminary results that neonates rated as having high negative emotionality may indeed experience chronic difficulties with emotional dysregulation.

Infant temperament and perinatal depressive and anxiety symptoms in Mexican women

AimThis study explores the association between infant temperament at six months postpartum and pre- and postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms. The association between infant temperament and stressful life events is also evaluated. MethodA total of 210 Mexican women were assessed during pregnancy (gestational age 32.39 ± 4.01) and at six months postpartum. The instruments used were: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Anxiety Subscale of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (SCL-90R), a short form of Stressful Life Events and The Infant Characteristics Questionnaire, when infants were six months old. ResultsAlthough a mother’s emotional state during pregnancy (depressive and anxiety symptoms and stressful life events) was not associated with difficult infant temperament, it was associated with depressive and anxious symptomatology during the postpartum period. Mothers with prenatal depressive symptoms who remained depressed and mothers who only had depression symptoms during the postpartum period reported having more difficult infants. Likewise, mothers with prenatal anxiety symptoms who maintained anxiety symptoms postpartum and mothers with anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period alone reported having more difficult infants. Comorbidity was found between depressive and anxious postnatal symptomatology in its association with difficult infant temperament. ConclusionIn this study, postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms played an important role in shaping difficult infant temperament. Comorbidity between the two conditions warrants clinical attention and additional research, since it is related to maternal perception of difficult infant temperament. Psychological interventions are required, since these women may require assistance with emotional adaptation in the transition to motherhood.

The relationship between maternal confidence, infant temperament, and postpartum depression

Background:Although several studies have emphasized the correlation of infant temperament and maternal confidence, this topic has not been explored in different culture and geographical contexts. We study association of maternal confidence, infant temperament, and postpartum depression among postnatal mothers.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sriramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, India from July 2017 to May 2018. The sample population comprised of mothers at 6 weeks of postnatal period attending the Immunization Clinic. The instruments used were standardized Karitane's Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS), Bates Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (BICQ), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from postnatal mothers. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) ver. 19, using analysis of variance, correlation coefficient, multivariable regression.Results:In this study, 64.40% of the population had high level of confidence and 80% postnatal mothers had no depression. A significant association (t2= 18.15, p = 0.001) was seen between maternal confidence, family support, and place of living. Regression analysis showed that confidence of postnatal mothers has a significant influence (t2= 12.48, p < 0.005) on infant temperament.Conclusions:Two-third of the postnatal mothers had high confidence level with no depression. A positive correlation between postpartum depression and infant temperament was found to be associated with income, parity, and maternal confidence. A significant association was also seen of infant temperament with type of family, income, place of living, and sex of the baby.

KORELASI TEMPERAMEN BAYI DENGAN MATERNAL SELF EFFICACY PADA IBU REMAJA DI BANGKA SELATAN

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi hubungan antara temperamen bayi dengan maternal self efficacy pada ibu remaja. Penelitian cross sectional ini menggunakan tehnik consecutive sampling dengan 100 responden ibu remaja primipara. Alat ukur yang digunakan adalah kuesioner yang sudah terstruktur yaitu kuesioner demografi, Maternal Efficacy Questionnaire (MEQ), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) dan Infant Characteristic Questionnaire (ICQ). Variabel temperamen bayi dan kepercayaan diri ibu dianalisis menggunakan chi-square dan regresi logistik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada hubungan yang signifikan antara temperamen bayi dengan maternal self efficacy pada ibu remaja dengan nilai p 0,001. Temperamen bayi sangat memengaruhi kepercayaan diri ibu remaja. Temperamen bayi yang easy berpengaruh pada peningkatan self efficacy ibu dibandingkan temperamen bayi yang difficult.

Health-related quality of life, temperament, and eating behavior among formula-fed infants in the Philippines: a pilot study

BackgroundThe rising prevalence of childhood obesity in Asia has led to interest in potential risk factors such as infant health-related quality of life (HRQoL), temperament and eating behaviors. This pilot study evaluated the utility of administering parent-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to explore these factors in Filipino infants and examined the relationships between these factors and infant sex, formula intake and weight, over time.MethodsForty healthy, 4-week-old, formula-fed infants (n = 20 males) were enrolled in this 6-week, prospective, uncontrolled study during which infants were exclusively fed a standard term infant formula enriched with alpha-lactalbumin. On Day-1 and 42, anthropometrics were measured and mothers completed a 97-item measure of HRQoL [Infant Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire (ITQOL)] covering 6 infant-focused and 3 parent-focused concepts and a 24-item measure of infant temperament [Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ)]. At Day-42, mothers also completed an 18-item measure of infant appetite [Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (BEBQ)]. A 3-day formula intake diary was completed before Day-42. Nonparametric statistics were used to evaluate correlations among outcomes and compare outcomes by visit and sex.ResultsThirty-nine infants completed the study; similar results were observed in males and females. Completion of PROMs was 100% with no missing responses, but Cronbach’s α was low for many concept scales scores. ITQOL scores [range 0 (worst)-100 (best)] were generally high (median ≥ 80) except for Day-1 and Day-42 Temperament and Mood and Day-1 General Health Perceptions scores. ITQOL but not ICQ temperament scores improved significantly between Day-1 and Day-42 (P < 0.01). Mean ± standard deviation BEBQ scores (range 1–5) were high for Enjoyment of Food (4.59 ± 0.60) and Food Responsiveness (3.53 ± 0.81), and low for Satiety Responsiveness (2.50 ± 0.73) and Slowness in Eating (1.71 ± 0.60). Better HRQoL scores were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with high General Appetite scores (3 ITQOL concepts, r = 0.32 to 0.54), greater Enjoyment of Food (4 ITQOL concepts, r = 0.35 to 0.42) and low levels of Slowness in Eating (7 ITQOL concepts, r = − 0.32 to − 0.47).ConclusionFindings demonstrated the utility of the ITQOL, ICQ and BEBQ for measuring HRQoL, temperament and eating behavior, and the need for further adaptations for use in Filipino infants.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02431377; Registered May 1, 2015.

Family support and maternal self-efficacy of adolescent mothers

To identify a correlation between family support and maternal self-efficacy of adolescent mothers. This cross-sectional study applied a consecutive sampling technique. The sample was 100 primiparous adolescent mothers. Instruments utilized were structured questionnaires, including a demographic questionnaire, Maternal Efficacy Questionnaire (MEQ), Postpartum Support System, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ). The correlation of family support and maternal self-efficacy was analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression. The results showed a significant correlation between family support and maternal self-efficacy of adolescent mothers. The family support that most influenced maternal self-efficacy of adolescent mothers was family instrument support, with Wald value of 34.720. Instrument support most affects maternal self-efficacy of adolescent mothers and encourages adolescents performing nurturing and mothering roles.

Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Infant Temperament.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during the first year postpartum is common in Bangladesh, and many infants are exposed to hostile and aggressive environment. The aim of the current study was to investigate how IPV (physical, emotional, and sexual) impacts on the mother's perception of her infant's temperament 6 to 8 months postpartum, and whether maternal depressive symptom at 6 to 8 months postpartum is a mediator in this association. A total of 656 rural Bangladeshi women and their children 6 to 8 months postpartum were included in this study. Data were collected by structured interviews. The women were asked about physical, sexual, and emotional IPV; depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depressive Symptoms [EPDS]); and their perception of infant temperament assessed by the Infant Characteristic Questionnaire (ICQ). Descriptive analyses were conducted for prevalence of IPV and maternal depressive symptoms. Mediation analysis was conducted with a series of linear regressions with types of IPV as independent variables, ICQ including its subscales as dependent variables and maternal depressive symptoms as potential mediator. All the analyses were adjusted for the woman's and her husband's ages and number of children of the couple. Nearly 90% of the mothers reported some kind of IPV at 6 to 8 months postpartum. All types of IPV were directly associated with the mother's perception of her infant as unadaptable. Maternal depressive symptom was a mediating factor between physical IPV and the ICQ subscales fussy-difficult and unpredictable. In addition, depressive symptoms mediated between sexual and emotional IPV, and the mother's perception of the infant as unpredictable. The results showed that IPV influenced how mothers perceived their infant's temperament. It is important that health care professionals at maternal and child health services enquire about IPV with possibilities to refer the family or the mother and infant for appropriate support.

Risk factors for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and coping strategies in mothers and fathers following infant hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The aim of this study was to identify the potential risk factors for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in mothers and fathers following infant hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit. The development of neonatal intensive care units has increased the survival rate of infants. However, one of the major parental problems is post-traumatic stress disorder. An observational study covered 125 parents (72 mothers and 53 fathers) of infants aged 3-12months who were hospitalised in the neonatal intensive care unit during the neonatal period. Third-referral neonatal intensive care unit. Several standardised and self-reported research tools were used to estimate the level of post-traumatic stress symptoms (Impact Event Scale-Revised), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and coping strategies (COPE Inventory). The respondents also completed a Parent and Infant Characteristic Questionnaire. The mothers and fathers did not differ in their parental and infant characteristics. Post-traumatic stress disorder was present in 60% of the mothers and 47% of the fathers. Compared to the fathers, the mothers felt greater stress (p=.020) and presented a higher severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (p<.001). Previous miscarriages (p=.023) and the presence of chronic diseases (p=.032) were risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder in the mothers. In the fathers, an Apgar test at 1min after birth (p=.030) and a partner's post-traumatic stress disorder (p=.038) were related to post-traumatic stress disorder. The mothers compared to the fathers were more likely to use strategies such as: positive reinterpretation and growth, focusing on and venting of emotions, instrumental social support, religious coping and acceptance. In the fathers, the predictors included an Apgar score at 1min after birth, a lack of congenital anomalies in the child and mental disengagement. Risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as coping strategies, differ in women compare to men. Knowledge of risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder, specific to men and women, may help identify the parents in whom probability of the occurrence of this disorder is increased.

Post-traumatic growth in parents after infants' neonatal intensive care unit hospitalisation.

To determine the incidence and severity of post-traumatic growth in a group of parents of children hospitalised in the intensive care unit in the past. A premature birth or a birth with life-threatening conditions is a traumatic event for the parents and may lead to a number of changes, some of which are positive, known as post-traumatic growth. The survey covered 106 parents of 67 infants aged 3-12months. An original questionnaire and standardised research tools were used in the study: Impact Event Scale - Revised, Perceived Stress Scale, COPE Inventory: Positive Reinterpretation and Growth, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and Parent and Infant Characteristic Questionnaire. Due to a stepwise backward variables selection, we found three main factors that explain post-traumatic growth: post-traumatic stress symptoms, positive reinterpretation and growth and dichotomic variable infants' survival. This model explained 29% of the post-traumatic growth variation. Similar models that were considered separately for mothers and fathers showed no significantly better properties. Post-traumatic growth was related to a lesser extent to sociodemographic variables or the stressor itself, and related to a far greater extent to psychological factors. Our study highlights the fact that post-traumatic growth in the parents of neonates hospitalised in the neonatal intensive care units remains under-evaluated.

Parents reading with their 10-month-old babies: key predictors for high-quality reading styles

ABSTRACTSixty-five parent–infant dyads were observed reading an unfamiliar book at home. Parents’ use of language-stimulating and emotionally rich reading styles was measured via a specially developed Book Sharing Scale for Infants. Aspects of child temperament were assessed by the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire [Bates, J. E., Freeland, C. A. B., & Lounsbury, M. L. (1979). Measurement of infant difficultness. Child Development, 50(3), 794–803], and parents responsivity was measured by the Caregiver Interaction Scale [Arnett, J. (1989). Caregiver interaction scale. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service]. Parents’ socio-economic status and education, parents’ impression of their child being unsociable and the warmth of the caregiver’s interaction were positively predictive of the quality of the reading interaction. This suggests that the extent to which parents employ high-quality reading styles with their 10-month-old babies, depends on socio-demographic variables, children’s ability to communicate with their parents, and the overall affective quality of their relationship.