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THE QUALITY OF ATTACHMENT IN PREMATURE INFANTS:AN ANALYSIS OF MOTHER-INFANT RELATIONSHIPS

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Date Issued:
2013
Abstract/Description:
The purpose of this study was to conduct a qualitative case study using secondary data on four mothers with premature infants in a home visitation intervention group. Three data points were collected on each mother and infant: the health of the infant, the quality of attachment as seen in play interactions, and maternal life circumstances such as depression, social support and use of community resources. The data was looked at prenatally up until the infants were 15 months old. The results indicated that all four infants were relatively healthy across the first year of their lives. Three out of the four mothers had a secure attachment with their premature infants at 12 months of age and one mother was at risk for an insecure attachment. All four mothers demonstrated some positive play interactions; however, one mother in particular demonstrated low involvement. Of the four mothers, one was highly depressed, and the other three mothers were minimally to moderately depressed. The four mothers were also in a marital or partner relationship, and all reported satisfaction in their support systems as well as very similar uses of community resources. The results of this study can be used to assist Home Visitors in understanding the need to help mothers improve their interactions with their premature infants and to encourage the Home Visitors to refer the mothers who show any signs of depression.
Title: THE QUALITY OF ATTACHMENT IN PREMATURE INFANTS:AN ANALYSIS OF MOTHER-INFANT RELATIONSHIPS.
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Name(s): Clarke, Christy, Author
Culp, Anne, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2013
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to conduct a qualitative case study using secondary data on four mothers with premature infants in a home visitation intervention group. Three data points were collected on each mother and infant: the health of the infant, the quality of attachment as seen in play interactions, and maternal life circumstances such as depression, social support and use of community resources. The data was looked at prenatally up until the infants were 15 months old. The results indicated that all four infants were relatively healthy across the first year of their lives. Three out of the four mothers had a secure attachment with their premature infants at 12 months of age and one mother was at risk for an insecure attachment. All four mothers demonstrated some positive play interactions; however, one mother in particular demonstrated low involvement. Of the four mothers, one was highly depressed, and the other three mothers were minimally to moderately depressed. The four mothers were also in a marital or partner relationship, and all reported satisfaction in their support systems as well as very similar uses of community resources. The results of this study can be used to assist Home Visitors in understanding the need to help mothers improve their interactions with their premature infants and to encourage the Home Visitors to refer the mothers who show any signs of depression.
Identifier: CFH0004527 (IID), ucf:45156 (fedora)
Note(s): 2013-12-01
B.S.
Education, School of Teaching, Learning and Leadership
Bachelors
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): premature infants
attachment
maternal attachment
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004527
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

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