TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND MINDFULNESS AS PREDICTORS IN MATERNAL-INFANT INTERACTION

The central role of mindful parenting in child's emotional regulation and human flourishing: a blueprint perspective

This article provides an innovative perspective of emotional-regulation and human flourishing which acknowledges the fundamental role of early parent-child experiences in shaping brain structure and functioning involved in emotional regulation and the central role of mindful parenting in facilitating emotional regulation in both parent and child (co-regulation). In this perspective paper the author underlines not only the central role of emotions and emotional regulation in human development and flourishing, but also the importance of maternal mental health, mindfulness, and a connected supportive community during pregnancy and postnatally in facilitating emotional regulation in both the caregiver and the infant and thus promoting secure attachment. The role of alloparenting and how we evolved to share childrearing is introduced, and emotional regulation is described not as an individual phenomenon but a relational embodied process. The associations between right brain functioning, mindfulness and secure attachment, all leading to emotional regulation, wellbeing, and resilience are described. Sharing findings and perspectives offer an opportunity for insights and reflection upon what strategies could be created to promote relational emotional regulation and wellbeing in early life, thus human flourishing leading to a peaceful society.

Illawarra Born cross-generational health study: feasibility of a multi-generational birth cohort study

Background

There is a strong interest in the concept of developmental origins of health and disease and their influence on various factors “from cradle to grave”. Despite the increasing appreciation of this lifelong legacy across the human life course, many gaps remain in the scientific understanding of mechanisms influencing these formative phases. Cross-generational susceptibility to health problems is emerging as a focus of research in the context of birth cohort studies.

The primary aim of the Illawarra Born study is to make scientific discoveries associated with improving health and wellbeing across the lifespan, with a particular focus on preventable chronic diseases, especially mental health. This birth cohort study will follow and collect data from three cohorts representing different stages across the lifespan: infants, adults (parents) and older adults (grandparents). The multi-generational, cross-sectional and longitudinal design of this birth cohort study supports a focus on the contributions of genetics, environment and lifestyle on health and wellbeing. The feasibility of conducting a multi-generational longitudinal birth cohort project was conducted through a small pilot study.

Methods/design

The purpose of this paper is to report on the feasibility and acceptability of the research protocol for a collaborative cross-generation health study in the community and test recruitment and outcome measures for the main study. This feasibility study included pregnant women who were intending to give birth in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region in Eastern Australia. The area includes a large, regional referral hospital, with capacity to treat specialist and complex cases. Pregnant women were asked to participate in five data collection waves beginning at 22 weeks gestation and ending with a 6-month post-partum appointment. Recruitment was then extended, via the pregnant women, to also include fathers and maternal grandmothers.

Discussion

This feasibility study focused on the perinatal period and collected data across three multi-disciplinary domains including mental health, diet, exposures to toxins and the role of these in maternal and infant outcomes. Forty-one families participated in extensive data collection from 22 weeks gestation to 6-months post-partum. Factors impacting on viability and feasibility including recruitment solutions provide the basis for a large-scale study.