Infant-parent attachment: Definition, types, antecedents, measurement and outcome

Theory and measure in the psychological field: The case of attachment theory and the strange situation procedure

In this article, we pose a question about the link between theory and measure within the field of psychology and use an influential psychological theory—attachment theory—as a case study to test our question. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we incorporate broad historical, sociological, and philosophical perspectives to support our thesis that in today’s psychological field there is pressure to achieve instantaneous empirical answers to broad theoretical questions and without due awareness of this state of affairs, a confusion could occur between theoretical and empirical constructs. In our review of attachment theory, we look at the connection between the theory and the empirical definitions of the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) and conclude that the use of the terminology “gold standard” in relation to the SSP is an imprudent characterization of what is otherwise a robust measurement tool. We theorize that this type of terminology may result in overreliance on the measure instead of on the theory.

Interactional pattern analysis of mother–baby pairs: Kangaroo mother care versus incubator care

Within the field of neonatal care, two approaches have gained prominence – incubator care and kangaroo mother care. Each contributes to a baby’s physiological well-being. The aim of this study was to conduct an investigation into the effects of incubator care and kangaroo mother care from a psychological perspective – specifically an interactional approach – by undertaking interactional pattern analyses of mother–baby pairs receiving incubator care and kangaroo mother care, respectively. Person-centred interviews were conducted and audio recorded with 17 mothers whose babies were receiving either incubator care or kangaroo mother care at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa. Each interview was studied by an independent clinical psychologist trained in observation and, in particular, the interactional pattern analysis and who then completed an adapted interactional pattern analysis questionnaire. The procedure yielded standardised interactional pattern analyses for the mother–baby pairs. Mann–Whitney U tests revealed that, in relation to their babies, the mothers in the kangaroo mother care group yielded significantly more effective interactional patterns than those in the incubator care group, highlighting that, in terms of the interactional approach, kangaroo mother care may be the preferred method of neonatal care.

First principles of Hamiltonian medicine

We introduce the field of Hamiltonian medicine, which centres on the roles of genetic relatedness in human health and disease. Hamiltonian medicine represents the application of basic social-evolution theory, for interactions involving kinship, to core issues in medicine such as pathogens, cancer, optimal growth and mental illness. It encompasses three domains, which involve conflict and cooperation between: (i) microbes or cancer cells, within humans, (ii) genes expressed in humans, (iii) human individuals. A set of six core principles, based on these domains and their interfaces, serves to conceptually organize the field, and contextualize illustrative examples. The primary usefulness of Hamiltonian medicine is that, like Darwinian medicine more generally, it provides novel insights into what data will be productive to collect, to address important clinical and public health problems. Our synthesis of this nascent field is intended predominantly for evolutionary and behavioural biologists who aspire to address questions directly relevant to human health and disease.

Breast feeding and early adolescent behaviour, self-esteem and depression: Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort

OBJECTIVE

Breast feeding may contribute to neurological development and hence mental health. However, associations from Western populations are unclear, and most likely confounded by socioeconomic position (SEP), making evidence from other sociocultural settings valuable. We examined whether breast feeding was associated with early adolescent emotional and behavioural problems, self-esteem and depressive symptoms in a non-Western developed setting, where socioeconomic patterning of breast feeding differs from but other postnatal characteristics are similar to Western settings.

DESIGN

The adjusted associations of breast feeding with emotional and behavioural problems assessed from parent-reported Rutter z-score at ~11 years (n=5598, 67% follow-up), self-reported self-esteem z-score at ~11 years (n=6937, 84%) and depressive symptoms assessed from self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9 z-score at ~13 years (n=5797, 70%) were examined using multivariable linear regression in a population-representative Hong Kong Chinese birth cohort, 'Children of 1997'.

RESULTS

Mothers from families with higher education tended to start but not sustain breast feeding, whereas migrant mothers tended to start and sustain breast feeding. Breast feeding for 3+ months had mostly null associations with Rutter score, self-esteem or depressive symptoms adjusted for sex, age, survey mode, SEP, parents' age, birth weight-for-gestational age, birth order and secondhand smoke exposure, although partial breast feeding for any length of time or exclusive breast feeding for <3 months was associated with poorer behaviour (higher Rutter z-score (0.10, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.16)) and lower self-esteem (-0.09, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In a non-Western developed setting, breast feeding was inconsistently associated with several early adolescent mental health measures suggesting a reflection of setting specific unmeasured confounding.

'Hear our stories': child-rearing practices of a remote Australian Aboriginal community

OBJECTIVE

Little is known about Australian Aboriginal world views related to child rearing and child development. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide an opportunity for remote Aboriginal families in Central Australia to share what they felt was important for non-Aboriginal people, working in the same setting, to know about their parenting methods.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A descriptive study was carried out in a remote Central Australian community by an Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researcher, working in partnership, combining ethnographic and participatory approaches. Eight families with children under five were primary participants. Data were collected through participant observation and informal conversational interviews.

FINDINGS

Three main interlinked themes were identified through this research: 'fitting in' (integration of children into community life), 'growing up' (children's development) and 'staying strong' (children's autonomy within a communal social structure). In this community, the development of independence and self-reliance within a closely nurturing environment are paramount. Children are taught responsibilities and obligations through interaction in community life from birth. Children's growth and development is not linked to chronological time scales. Rather, children are encouraged and praised for their social and emotional maturity as well as physical development, regardless of the age at which milestones are achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

This descriptive study provided an opportunity for Aboriginal people in one remote community to share their perspectives about child rearing and child development. It provides some insights into positive child-rearing practices and perspectives which can assist non-Aboriginal service providers to work more effectively with Aboriginal families.

"Expectant Parents": Study protocol of a longitudinal study concerning prenatal (risk) factors and postnatal infant development, parenting, and parent-infant relationships

BACKGROUND

While the importance of the infant-parent relationship from the child's perspective is acknowledged worldwide, there is still a lack of knowledge about predictors and long-term benefits or consequences of the quality of parent-infant relationships from the parent's perspective. The purpose of this prospective study is to investigate the quality of parent-infant relationships from parents' perspectives, both in the prenatal and postpartum period. This study therefore focuses on prenatal (risk) factors that may influence the quality of pre- and postnatal bonding, the transition to parenthood, and bonding as a process within families with young children. In contrast to most research concerning pregnancy and infant development, not only the roles and experiences of mothers during pregnancy and the first two years of infants' lives are studied, but also those of fathers.

METHODS/DESIGN

The present study is a prospective longitudinal cohort study, in which pregnant women (N = 466) and their partners (N = 319) are followed from 15 weeks gestation until their child is 24 months old. During pregnancy, midwives register the presence of prenatal risk factors and provide obstetric information after the child's birth. Parental characteristics are investigated using self-report questionnaires at 15, 26, and 36 weeks gestational age and at 4, 6, 12, and 24 months postpartum. At 26 weeks of pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum, parents are interviewed concerning their representations of the (unborn) child. At 6 months postpartum, the mother-child interaction is observed in several situations within the home setting. When children are 4, 6, 12, and 24 months old, parents also completed questionnaires concerning the child's (social-emotional) development and the parent-child relationship. Additionally, at 12 months information about the child's physical development and well-being during the first year of life is retrieved from National Health Care Centres.

DISCUSSION

The results of this study may contribute to early identification of families at risk for adverse parent-infant relationships, infant development, or parenting. Thereby this study will be relevant for the development of policy, practice, and theory concerning infant mental health.