A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Attachment representations in mothers of preterm infants




AuthorsKorja R, Savonlahti E, Haataja L, Lapinleimu H, Manninen H, Piha J, Lehtonen L

PublisherELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

Publication year2009

JournalInfant Behavior and Development

Journal name in sourceINFANT BEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT

Journal acronymINFANT BEHAV DEV

Volume32

Issue3

First page 305

Last page311

Number of pages7

ISSN0163-6383

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2009.04.003


Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess attachment representations in mothers of preterm infants using the Working Model of Child Interview (WMCI) at the 12 months of the infant's corrected age. In addition, the relation between WMCI representation categories and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score at 6 months of the infant's corrected age was studied. There were 38 mothers of preterm infants (< 1500g or < 32 gestational weeks) and 45 mothers of full-term infants. The results showed no differences between the study groups in the distribution of the three main representation categories (balanced, disengaged and distorted). However, there were qualitative differences in representations between the groups. Furthermore, maternal depression symptoms were associated with distorted representation category. We suggest that despite the qualitative differences in the mothers' representations, mothers of preterm infants are as likely to form balanced attachments with their infants as mothers of full-term infants. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.



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