The role of negative maternal affective states and infant temperament in early interactions between infants with cleft lip and their mothers

Montirosso, R., Fedeli, R., Murray, L., Morandi, F., Brusati, R., Perego, G. G. and Borgatti, R. (2012) The role of negative maternal affective states and infant temperament in early interactions between infants with cleft lip and their mothers. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 37 (2). pp. 241-250. ISSN 1465-735X doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsr089

Abstract/Summary

OBJECTIVES: The study examined the early interaction between mothers and their infants with cleft lip, assessing the role of maternal affective state and expressiveness and differences in infant temperament. METHODS: Mother-infant interactions were assessed in 25 2-month-old infants with cleft lip and 25 age-matched healthy infants. Self-report and behavioral observations were used to assess maternal depressive symptoms and expressions. Mothers rated infant temperament. RESULTS: Infants with cleft lip were less engaged and their mothers showed more difficulty in interaction than control group dyads. Mothers of infants with cleft lip displayed more negative affectivity, but did not report more self-rated depressive symptoms than control group mothers. No group differences were found in infant temperament. CONCLUSIONS: In order to support the mother's experience and facilitate her ongoing parental role, findings highlight the importance of identifying maternal negative affectivity during early interactions, even when they seem have little awareness of their depressive symptoms.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/25336
Identification Number/DOI	10.1093/jpepsy/jsr089
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Winnicott Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Psychopathology and Affective Neuroscience Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords	cleft lip and palate; early mother–infant interactions; maternal depression; temperament
Publisher	Oxford Journals
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