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Rankin L, Krouskop HG, Fisher ML. Mother-infant attachment from the perspective of young mothers: Does the data support a maternal instinct? Soc Sci Med 2024; 357:117172. [PMID: 39121564 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Some conceptualizations of attachment imply an instinctual behavior that occurs naturally. Mothers who endorse this view are at greater risk for psychological stress, depression, and harsh parenting styles if they do not feel an immediate bond with their infant postpartum. The purpose of this study is to explore actual experiences of attachment from the perspective of young mothers (N = 75, Mage = 19.45 years) and based on these findings the extent to which there is empirical support for a maternal instinct. Mothers were interviewed at home three times (2 weeks, four months, and seven months postpartum), and interviews were thematically analyzed using an open coding method. Three broad themes and six sub-themes emerged: 1) experiences with the immediacy of attachment at birth are diverse (traumatic birth experience, sense of a maternal identity), 2) contextual factors on the bonding experience (physical touch-based caretaking, parenting stress and depression), and 3) time spent parenting influences attachment (reciprocity, parental confidence/knowledge). In conclusion, we could not find empirical evidence to support an innate maternal instinct. Despite diverse experiences with felt attachment at birth, all mothers perceived that the mother-infant connection was influenced by contextual factors after birth and was strengthened over time with more care-taking experience. This suggests that mothers likely developed a "maternal instinct" through repetitive interaction with their infant as the primary caretaker rather than a genetic predisposition to be superior nurturing parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lela Rankin
- School of Social Work, Arizona State University, 340 N. Commerce Park Loop, Suite 250, Tucson, AZ, 85745, USA.
| | - Haley G Krouskop
- Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, USA
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2
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Pados BF, Camp L. Physiology of Human Lactation and Strategies to Support Milk Supply for Breastfeeding. Nurs Womens Health 2024; 28:303-314. [PMID: 38972331 DOI: 10.1016/j.nwh.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Despite advances across the globe in breastfeeding initiation rates, many families continue to report they are not meeting their breastfeeding goals. Concerns about milk supply, infant nutritional intake, and infant weight gain are among the most commonly cited reasons for early breastfeeding cessation. Nurses working with individuals during the perinatal period are uniquely positioned to educate families and offer evidence-based interventions to promote optimal milk supply, infant growth, and maternal mental and physical health. Such interventions include early and frequent skin-to-skin care, emptying of the breast, and professional lactation support. By implementing such evidence-based practices in the first hours after birth and connecting families to lactation support in the first 14 days, nurses can begin to help families achieve their breastfeeding goals.
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Kim CY, Smith NP, Teti DM. Associations Between Breastfeeding, Maternal Emotional Availability, and Infant-Mother Attachment: The Role of Coparenting. J Hum Lact 2024; 40:455-463. [PMID: 38770794 DOI: 10.1177/08903344241247207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is a parenting practice that combines close intimate contact with the opportunity to be sensitive and responsive to the infant, and may have direct and indirect relations with infant attachment. However, researchers have produced inconsistent findings, suggesting there may be other mechanisms involved. Coparenting may play a significant role, as it has been consistently associated with mother-infant relationships. RESEARCH AIMS The aims of this study were to examine: (1) whether breastfeeding would be directly associated with infant-mother attachment; (2) whether this association was also indirect, through mothers' quality of caregiving; and (3) whether partners' coparenting support moderates breastfeeding's indirect association with attachment. METHODS This was a prospective, longitudinal study that drew data from a larger NIH-funded study on sleep and family relationships (R01HD052809). Mothers reported on their feeding practices and coparenting relationships. Independent observations were used to assess mothers' emotional availability toward infants. A separate team of observers assessed infant-mother attachment. RESULTS Exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months, and longer duration of any breastfeeding across the 1st year, were directly associated with more secure infant-mother attachment. These associations were also indirect, through maternal emotional availability. Coparenting was a significant moderator, such that the influence of longer breastfeeding duration on improved emotional availability, and, in turn, on more secure attachment, was significant only for mothers who perceived coparenting quality to be low. CONCLUSION Findings highlighted the importance of breastfeeding on both the quality of mothering and infant attachment, but also emphasized that coparenting support may be particularly important for mothers who are unable to breastfeed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Youngwon Kim
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Nicole P Smith
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Douglas M Teti
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Rheinheimer N, Vacaru SV, van Immerseel JC, Kühn S, de Weerth C. Infant Care: Predictors of Outdoor Walking, Infant Carrying and Infant Outdoor Sleeping. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:694. [PMID: 38928940 PMCID: PMC11203610 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although spending time outdoors is beneficial for development, little is known about outdoor time during infancy. The aim of this study was to assess frequencies and durations of (1a) outdoor walking and carrying in mother-infant dyads and (1b) infant outdoor sleeping in a stationary cot or pram. We furthermore aimed to identify associations of (2a) outdoor walking and carrying and (2b) infant outdoor sleeping, with infant, maternal and environmental sample characteristics. METHODS An online survey was distributed among mothers of 0- to 12-month-old infants. Initially, 1453 mothers were recruited, of which 1275 were included in the analyses. With respect to (1a) the outcomes of interest were: mother-infant dyads' total weekly duration of walking in minutes, frequency of walking on weekdays, as well as weekends, and the frequency of using an infant carrier during walks, as well as the daily duration of carrying in hours (indoors and outdoors together). With respect to (1b) the outcome variables were: placing the infant outdoors to sleep (yes/no), the total weekly duration of outdoor sleeping and the weekly frequency of outdoor sleeping. For aim 2, associations of the outcome variables with infant (i.e., age), maternal (i.e., working status) and environmental (i.e., house type) sample characteristics were assessed. RESULTS Mother-infant dyads engaged in walks for a total weekly duration of 201 min, for approximately one to three walks over weekdays (Monday through Friday), as well as one to three walks on the weekend. The infant carrier was used by 22% of mothers at least half of the time during outdoor walks, and 18% reported a daily duration of infant carrying of one hour or more. Among other associations, infant and maternal enjoyment of outdoor walking correlated positively with the duration as well as the frequency of walking during weekdays and during the weekend. Furthermore, employed mothers walked for a shorter duration and less frequently on weekdays as compared to mothers on maternity leave or mothers without a paid job. The availability of nearby recreational areas correlated positively with the weekly duration and frequency of walks. The infant carrier was used more frequently during outdoor walks if more than one child lived in the household. Infant carrying during outdoor walks was also related to infant behavior at night. Roughly a third of the mothers (29%) regularly had their infant sleep outdoors for a weekly duration of four hours and a weekly frequency of approximately one to two times. Younger infants, infants of mothers with higher education and infants living in detached houses were more likely to be placed outdoors to sleep. DISCUSSION We identified associations of infant, maternal and environmental characteristics with outdoor time spent during infancy. These results lay the foundation for future research on the effects of the outdoors on child development as well as on facilitators and barriers for caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Rheinheimer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefania V. Vacaru
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, New York University-Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies & Amsterdam Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Julie C. van Immerseel
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Kühn
- Center for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20249 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Santaguida E, Bergamasco M. A perspective-based analysis of attachment from prenatal period to second year postnatal life. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1296242. [PMID: 38840732 PMCID: PMC11150629 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1296242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Attachment is one of the foundational themes in the history of the psychological development of human beings. For this reason, we assume that it must be approached by taking into account multiple scientific perspectives. The present review aims at analyzing the state of the art regarding the genetic, neurobiological and cognitive mechanisms underlying the development of attachment bonding, considering the child as the frame of reference. We hypothesize that attachment may be present in prototypical forms even in the prenatal period, thus our analysis has a temporal origin in the intrauterine period preceding birth. The intrauterine period is assumed to be a period of maximum sensitivity to stimuli and in particular to those coming from a potential primary caregiver: the biological mother. We conclude with a reframing of the state of the art and propose that future research work would benefit from a superordinate model of attachment, capable of containing and regulating all its components and variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Santaguida
- Institute of Mechanical Intelligence, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
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McGlone F, Uvnäs Moberg K, Norholt H, Eggart M, Müller-Oerlinghausen B. Touch medicine: bridging the gap between recent insights from touch research and clinical medicine and its special significance for the treatment of affective disorders. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1390673. [PMID: 38881553 PMCID: PMC11177324 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1390673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Interpersonal touch represents the primal sensory experience between humans, fostering social bonding from the cradle to the death bed. In recent decades "affective touch" has been intensely studied, stimulated by the discovery of a population of mechanosensitive unmyelinated C-tactile afferents in mammalian skin. A lack of touch in childhood is associated with negative consequences for psychosocial and physical health and the benefits of professional touch techniques in the prevention and treatment of various diseases have been shown over and over again in clinical studies. However, its application in mainstream clinical applications remains limited. To bridge the gap between recent discoveries in touch research and clinical medicine, we propose the establishment of a new discipline: 'Touch Medicine'. Here, we unfold the potential of Touch Medicine by focusing on the treatment of depression, which in our view is primarily a disorder of the lived body. Controlled studies and systematic reviews have demonstrated the antidepressant, anxiolytic and analgesic effects of specific massage techniques. Underlying mechanisms of action are currently under investigation, ranging from interoceptive, endocrinological, to stress-related or psychological underpinnings. Touch Medicine represents a novel interdisciplinary field connected to various medical specialities such as neonatology, pediatrics, pain medicine, neurology, psychiatry, and geriatrics - but also clinical psychology and psychosomatic medicine might benefit from the integration of these findings into their daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis McGlone
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroscience & Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Henrik Norholt
- SomAffect - The Somatosensory & Affective Neuroscience Group, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Eggart
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
- Faculty of Social Work, Health and Nursing, Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences, Weingarten, Germany
| | - Bruno Müller-Oerlinghausen
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Diaz-Ogallar MA, Hernandez-Martinez A, Linares-Abad M, Martinez-Galiano JM. Factors related to a disturbance in the mother-child bond and attachment. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 76:114-123. [PMID: 38377918 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Establishing an adequate bond and attachment between a mother and child is essential for preventing pathologies and developing this relationship in the future. PURPOSE To identify the factors related to a disturbance of the mother-child bond or attachment. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with women with a biological child between 6 weeks and 18 months of age. The Mother-Child Bond-Attachment Questionnaire (VAMF, for its name in Spanish) was administered to measure the bond and postnatal attachment together with a questionnaire containing sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health variables referring to the mother and the newborn. RESULTS 1114 women participated. The multivariate analysis showed that skin-to-skin contact (aOR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.90) and breastfeeding (aOR = 0.55; 95% IC: 0.35, 0.86) reduce the probability of presenting a bond disturbance. Anxiety during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (aOR = 3.95; 95% CI: 2.57, 6.05) and postpartum complications (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.48) increase the chance of having a bond disturbance. Skin-to-skin contact (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38, 1.00), breastfeeding (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.80,) and an older age of the infant (months) (aOR = 0.77: 95% CI: 0.72, 0.82) reduces the probability of presenting an attachment disturbance. CONCLUSIONS Skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding are associated with a lower probability of impaired bonding and attachment. Anxiety states during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium, and complications after childbirth increase the probability of developing a bond disorder. The older the age of the infant, the lower the frequency of having an impaired attachment. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE Identifying the factors associated with the establishment of the mother-child bond and attachment is essential for the development of prevention strategies and early identification of cases that may present alterations and avoid their consequences on the health of the mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonia Diaz-Ogallar
- Unit of Clinical Management Jodar, Andalusian Health Service, 23500 Jodar, Spain; Nursing Department, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain.
| | - Antonio Hernandez-Martinez
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Ciudad Real Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Juan Miguel Martinez-Galiano
- Nursing Department, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Nikolaeva EI, Dydenkova EA, Mayorova LA, Portnova GV. The impact of daily affective touch on cortisol levels in institutionalized & fostered children. Physiol Behav 2024; 277:114479. [PMID: 38309608 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Institutionalized children are often deprived of affective touch. Such tactile deprivation often leads to constant stress, as measured by the levels of salivary cortisol. We report here the impact of an affective touch program, optimized to activate a specific population of unmyelinated mechanosensitive nerves in the skin called c-tactile afferents (CT) on stress resistance. Two populations of children (age 4-10) were recruited: (i) a cohort living in an orphanage and (ii) a fostered cohort. Both groups received the affective touch program daily for 10-15 min for 5-6 weeks. A cohort of age-matched children living in a family environment acted as a control group and did not receive any instructions for tactile stimulation. Salivary cortisol was collected at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of the study in all three groups. For institutionalized and fostered children there was a significant improvement in the level of cortisol (p < 0.0001) between T1 and T2, which is manifested in the balancing cortisol levels: a decrease where it was elevated and an increase, where the critically low level testified to the distress of the child. Balancing cortisol levels is a process of recovery to normal values, which indicates the restoration of neurohumoral mechanisms of stress regulation. The effect of balancing cortisol levels was more pronounced in the group of fostered children compared to the group of orphanage children (p = 0.0326). The children in the control group had no significant differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena I Nikolaeva
- Herzen State pedagogical University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation; Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Eva A Dydenkova
- Minin University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation; Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Larisa A Mayorova
- Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation; Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Galina V Portnova
- Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation; Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Cato K, Funkquist EL, Karlsson Rosenblad A. Instrument development and an intervention to increase parents' self-efficacy regarding their infant's sleep. SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE 2024; 39:100944. [PMID: 38183709 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many Swedish parents experience that their infant has sleeping problems. Parents' self-efficacy regarding their infants' sleep may play an important role in how they perceive these problems. This pilot study aimed to develop an instrument measuring parents' self-efficacy regarding their infant's sleep and to examine if parents' self-efficacy was affected by an intervention focusing on parental education. METHOD Mothers and fathers, at a maternity unit in Sweden, were drawn into either an intervention (n = 46) or a control (n = 42) group. The intervention group received a home visit from a nurse who provided information about infant sleep; the importance of attachment; and advice regarding sleep, breastfeeding and bed sharing, including guidelines for safe bed sharing. Three months later, the participants answered questions on background data, breastfeeding, sleep and self-efficacy. RESULTS The 11-item two-factor Uppsala Parental Self-Efficacy about Infant Sleep Instrument (UPPSEISI) was constructed to measure parents' perceived self-efficacy. In adjusted analyses, being in the intervention group was associated with a higher self-efficacy (P = 0.035), as were being a mother (P = 0.003) and being satisfied with one's own sleep (P = 0.007), while parents' own sleeping problems were associated with a lower self-efficacy (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION Importantly, parental education may increase parents' self-efficacy regarding their infant's sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Cato
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 14 B, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Eva-Lotta Funkquist
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 14 B, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andreas Karlsson Rosenblad
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Clinical Diabetology and Metabolism, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Statistics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Yang L, Li X, Xie Z, Shen L. Reliability and validity of a simplified touch experiences and attitudes questionnaire for Chinese college students. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295812. [PMID: 38166121 PMCID: PMC10760887 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Touch cultures have both differences and commonalities in different regions. The Touch Experiences and Attitudes Questionnaire (TEAQ) is a widely applicable self-report tool. The purpose of our research was to examine the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of TEAQ for Chinese college students. We translated the 57 items of the original TEAQ into Chinese and assessed its cultural and linguistic adaptation in Chinese context. Two samples were recruited for the assessment of validity and reliability. The Social Support Rating Scale, Index of Well-being Scale and Security Questionnaire were chosen as criterion-related validity indicators. Item analysis, principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the simplified Chinese version of TEAQ contained 18 items in three factors: Attitude to Intimate Touch, Childhood Touch and Current Positive Touch, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 57.12%. The 3-factor model had good validity and reliability. The TEAQ was positively correlated with social support, sense of security and well-being. There were demographic differences in sex and left-behind experience. We anticipate the simplified TEAQ will be a valuable tool for the research of touch among Chinese college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
- School of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China
| | - Xuelian Li
- School of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China
| | - Zhijie Xie
- School of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China
| | - Lujun Shen
- School of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China
- School of Education, Hebei University, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China
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Lilliesköld S, Lode-Kolz K, Rettedal S, Lindstedt J, Linnér A, Markhus Pike H, Ahlqvist-Björkroth S, Ådén U, Jonas W. Skin-to-Skin Contact at Birth for Very Preterm Infants and Mother-Infant Interaction Quality at 4 Months: A Secondary Analysis of the IPISTOSS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2344469. [PMID: 38032643 PMCID: PMC10690460 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.44469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Good-quality parent-infant interactions have protective effects on infant socio-emotional and behavioral development. These interactions are especially critical for very preterm infants at risk of vulnerabilities related to immaturity. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) has been found to improve mother-preterm infant interaction behaviors, but few studies exist regarding its benefits when initiated immediately after birth. Objective To determine the effect of immediate SSC at birth for very preterm infants on mother-infant interaction quality at 4 months of corrected age. Design, Setting, and Participants This secondary analysis used data from the Immediate Parent-Infant Skin-to-Skin Study (IPISTOSS), a randomized clinical trial conducted between April 1, 2018, and June 30, 2021, at 3 neonatal units in Sweden and Norway. Participants included very preterm infants (28-33 gestational weeks of age) and their parents. Four-month follow-up was concluded in December 2021. Data analyses were performed on March 16 and September 18, 2023. Intervention Infants were allocated to standard incubator care or SSC with either parent initiated at birth and continued throughout the first 6 hours after birth. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was mother-infant interaction quality as measured with the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment (PCERA), based on video recordings of a 5-minute free-play situation with mother-infant dyads at 4 months of corrected age. A multilevel regression analysis was performed. Results This analysis included 71 infants (31 twins [44%]) and 56 mothers. Infants had a mean (SD) gestational age of 31 weeks 3 (1.3) days, and more than half were male (42 [59%]); mothers had a mean (SD) age of 32 (4.9) years. There were 37 infants allocated to standard care and 34 to SSC with either parent after birth. During the first 6 hours after birth, fathers provided more SSC than mothers, with a median (IQR) of 3.25 (2.25-4.5) and 0.75 (0-2.5) hours, respectively. A statistically significant difference in 1 of 5 PCERA subscales (subscale 3: infant positive affect, communicative and social skills) was observed, with higher-quality mother-infant interaction in the SSC group at 4 months (Cohen d = 0.67 [95% CI, 0.17 to 1.17]; P = .01). This effect remained significant when adjusting for primiparity, child sex, and observation setting. Conclusions and Relevance In this study of the effect of immediate parent-infant SSC after very preterm birth, SSC was beneficial for the mother-infant relationship. These findings suggest that immediate SSC should be supported in the clinical setting. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03521310.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siri Lilliesköld
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neonatology, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karoline Lode-Kolz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Paediatrics, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Siren Rettedal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Research, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Johanna Lindstedt
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Agnes Linnér
- Department of Neonatology, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hanne Markhus Pike
- Department of Paediatrics, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Sari Ahlqvist-Björkroth
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ulrika Ådén
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neonatology, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Wibke Jonas
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Shimon-Raz O, Yeshurun Y, Ulmer-Yaniv A, Levinkron A, Salomon R, Feldman R. Attachment Reminders Trigger Widespread Synchrony across Multiple Brains. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7213-7225. [PMID: 37813569 PMCID: PMC10601370 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0026-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Infant stimuli elicit widespread neural and behavioral response in human adults, and such massive allocation of resources attests to the evolutionary significance of the primary attachment. Here, we examined whether attachment reminders also trigger cross-brain concordance and generate greater neural uniformity, as indicated by intersubject correlation. Human mothers were imaged twice in oxytocin/placebo administration design, and stimuli included four ecological videos of a standard unfamiliar mother and infant: two infant/mother alone (Alone) and two mother-infant dyadic contexts (Social). Theory-driven analysis measured cross-brain synchrony in preregistered nodes of the parental caregiving network (PCN), which integrates subcortical structures underpinning mammalian mothering with cortical areas implicated in simulation, mentalization, and emotion regulation, and data-driven analysis assessed brain-wide concordance using whole-brain parcellation. Results demonstrated widespread cross-brain synchrony in both the PCN and across the neuroaxis, from primary sensory/somatosensory areas, through insular-cingulate regions, to temporal and prefrontal cortices. The Social context yielded significantly more cross-brain concordance, with PCNs striatum, parahippocampal gyrus, superior temporal sulcus, ACC, and PFC displaying cross-brain synchrony only to mother-infant social cues. Moment-by-moment fluctuations in mother-infant social synchrony, ranging from episodes of low synchrony to tightly coordinated positive bouts, were tracked online by cross-brain concordance in the preregistered ACC. Findings indicate that social attachment stimuli, representing evolutionary-salient universal cues that require no verbal narrative, trigger substantial interbrain concordance and suggest that the mother-infant bond, an icon standing at the heart of human civilization, may function to glue brains into a unified experience and bind humans into social groups.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Infant stimuli elicit widespread neural response in human adults, attesting to their evolutionary significance, but do they also trigger cross-brain concordance and induce neural uniformity among perceivers? We measured cross-brain synchrony to ecological mother-infant videos. We used theory-driven analysis, measuring cross-brain concordance in the parenting network, and data-driven analysis, assessing brain-wide concordance using whole-brain parcellation. Attachment cues triggered widespread cross-brain concordance in both the parenting network and across the neuroaxis. Moment-by-moment fluctuations in behavioral synchrony were tracked online by cross-brain variability in ACC. Attachment reminders bind humans' brains into a unitary experience and stimuli characterized by social synchrony enhance neural similarity among participants, describing one mechanism by which attachment bonds provide the neural template for the consolidation of social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yaara Yeshurun
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | | | - Ayelet Levinkron
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Roy Salomon
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
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13
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Chaudhary N, Swanepoel A. Editorial Perspective: What can we learn from hunter-gatherers about children's mental health? An evolutionary perspective. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023; 64:1522-1525. [PMID: 36882094 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Humans lived as hunter-gatherers for more than 95% of our evolutionary history, thus studying contemporary hunter-gatherer populations offers insight into the conditions children may be psychologically adapted to. Here, we contrast hunter-gatherer childhoods with those of WEIRD (Western Educated Industrialised Rich Democratic) societies and consider the implications for children's mental health. Hunter-gatherer infants receive continuous physical contact and more sensitive and responsive caregiving than is typical of WEIRD societies, due to the extensive involvement of alloparents (non-parental caregivers) who generally provide 40-50% of their care. Alongside positive attachment outcomes, alloparenting likely reduces the harms of family adversity and risk of abuse/neglect. From late infancy, hunter-gatherers spend their time in mixed-age 'playgroups' where they learn via active play and exploration without adult supervision. This contrasts with WEIRD norms surrounding the need for adult supervision of children, as well as with the passive teacher-led classrooms, which could potentially lead to suboptimal learning outcomes and pose difficulties to children with ADHD. Based on this preliminary comparison, we consider practical solutions to potential harms arising from discordance between what children are adapted to and exposed to. These include infant massage and babywearing; increased sibling and extra-familial involvement in childcare; and educational adjustments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Chaudhary
- Department of Archaeology, Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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14
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Carter CS. Close encounters with oxytocin. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2023; 15:100189. [PMID: 37577297 PMCID: PMC10422098 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this narrative review is to use a personal perspective to describe unanticipated and pivotal findings that drew the author into the study oxytocin. Oxytocin was originally described as a "female reproductive hormone." However, supporting reproduction is only one of a myriad of functions now attributed to oxytocin. Oxytocin promotes survival and resilience in both sexes and across the lifespan, especially in the context of stress or trauma and helps to explain the health benefits of relationships. Oxytocin works in the context of individual histories and in conjunction with other molecules, as well as the autonomic nervous system and immune factors. The chemical properties of oxytocin make it biologically active, but difficult to measure. As a deeper understanding of the biology of oxytocin is emerging, we may use knowledge of the properties of oxytocin to uncover adaptive strategies that protect and heal in the face of stress and adversity in both males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Sue Carter
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlotteville, VA, USA
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15
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Nascimento TF, Bocchi SCM, Trenado RM, Cerezo MA, Jensen R. Instruments to measure interaction of mothers and newborns: A systematic review. Infant Behav Dev 2023. [PMID: 36863246 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between newborns and their parents/primary caregivers are characterized by asymmetric and dependent relationships. This systematic review mapped, identified, and described the psychometric parameters, categories, and items of instruments used to assess mother-newborn interaction. Seven electronic databases were accessed in this study. Furthermore, this research included neonatal interaction studies describing instruments' items, domains, and psychometric properties while excluding studies that focused on maternal interactions and lacked items for assessing newborns. Additionally, studies validated with older infants that did not have a newborn in the sample were used for test validation, which is a criterion used to decrease the risk of bias. Fourteen observational instruments from 1047 identified citations were included that addressed interactions using varying techniques, constructs, and settings. Particularly, we focused on observational settings that assessed interactions with communication-based constructs in the context of proximity or distance as influenced by physical, behavioral, or procedural barriers. These tools are also used to predict risk behaviors in a psychological context, mitigate feeding difficulties, and conduct neurobehavioral assessments of mother-newborn interactions. The elicited imitation was also an observational setting. This study found that the most described properties in the included citations were inter-rater reliability followed by criterion validity. However, only two instruments reported content, construct, and criterion validity, as well as a description of an internal consistency assessment and inter-rater reliability. Finally, the synthesis of the instruments reported in this study can guide clinicians and researchers in selecting the most appropriate one for their own application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rodrigo Jensen
- São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, Brazil
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16
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McParlin Z, Cerritelli F, Manzotti A, Friston KJ, Esteves JE. Therapeutic touch and therapeutic alliance in pediatric care and neonatology: An active inference framework. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:961075. [PMID: 36923275 PMCID: PMC10009260 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.961075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic affective touch has been recognized as essential for survival, nurturing supportive interpersonal interactions, accelerating recovery-including reducing hospitalisations, and promoting overall health and building robust therapeutic alliances. Through the lens of active inference, we present an integrative model, combining therapeutic touch and communication, to achieve biobehavioural synchrony. This model speaks to how the brain develops a generative model required for recovery, developing successful therapeutic alliances, and regulating allostasis within paediatric manual therapy. We apply active inference to explain the neurophysiological and behavioural mechanisms that underwrite the development and maintenance of synchronous relationships through touch. This paper foregrounds the crucial role of therapeutic touch in developing a solid therapeutic alliance, the clinical effectiveness of paediatric care, and triadic synchrony between health care practitioner, caregiver, and infant in a variety of clinical situations. We start by providing a brief overview of the significance and clinical role of touch in the development of social interactions in infants; facilitating a positive therapeutic alliance and restoring homeostasis through touch to allow a more efficient process of allostatic regulation. Moreover, we explain the role of CT tactile afferents in achieving positive clinical outcomes and updating prior beliefs. We then discuss how touch is implemented in treatment sessions to promote cooperative interactions in the clinic and facilitate theory of mind. This underwrites biobehavioural synchrony, epistemic trust, empathy, and the resolution of uncertainty. The ensuing framework is underpinned by a critical application of the active inference framework to the fields of pediatrics and neonatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe McParlin
- Foundation COME Collaboration, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Pescara, Italy
| | - Francesco Cerritelli
- Division of Neonatology, “V. Buzzi” Children's Hospital, ASST-FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Manzotti
- Foundation COME Collaboration, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Pescara, Italy
- Division of Neonatology, “V. Buzzi” Children's Hospital, ASST-FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Research Department, SOMA, Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Karl J Friston
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge E Esteves
- Foundation COME Collaboration, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Pescara, Italy
- Malta ICOM Educational, Malta, Finland
- Research Department, University College of Osteopathy, Research Department, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Gribble K, Cashin J, Marinelli K, Vu DH, Mathisen R. First do no harm overlooked: Analysis of COVID-19 clinical guidance for maternal and newborn care from 101 countries shows breastfeeding widely undermined. Front Nutr 2023; 9:1049610. [PMID: 36741988 PMCID: PMC9889271 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1049610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) published clinical guidance for the care of newborns of mothers with COVID-19. Weighing the available evidence on SARS-CoV-2 infection against the well-established harms of maternal-infant separation, the WHO recommended maternal-infant proximity and breastfeeding even in the presence of maternal infection. Since then, the WHO's approach has been validated by further research. However, early in the pandemic there was poor global alignment with the WHO recommendations. Methods We assessed guidance documents collected in November and December 2020 from 101 countries and two regional agencies on the care of newborns of mothers with COVID-19 for alignment with the WHO recommendations. Recommendations considered were: (1) skin-to-skin contact; (2) early initiation of breastfeeding; (3) rooming-in; (4) direct breastfeeding; (5) provision of expressed breastmilk; (6) provision of donor human milk; (7) wet nursing; (8) provision of breastmilk substitutes; (9) relactation; (10) psychological support for separated mothers; and (11) psychological support for separated infants. Results In less than one-quarter of country guidance were the three key breastfeeding facilitation practices of skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, and direct breastfeeding recommended. Donor human milk was recommended in under one-quarter of guidance. Psychological support for mothers separated from their infants was recommended in 38%. Few countries recommended relactation, wet nursing, or psychological support for infants separated from mothers. In three-quarters of country guidance, expressed breastmilk for infants unable to directly breastfeed was recommended. The WHO and the United Kingdom's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were each cited by half of country guidance documents with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention directly or indirectly cited by 40%. Conclusion Despite the WHO recommendations, many COVID-19 maternal and newborn care guidelines failed to recommend skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, and breastfeeding as the standard of care. Irregular guidance updates and the discordant, but influential, guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control may have been contributory. It appeared that once recommendations were made for separation or against breastfeeding they were difficult to reverse. In the absence of quality evidence on necessity, recommendations against breastfeeding should not be made in disease epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karleen Gribble
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer Cashin
- Alive & Thrive Southeast Asia, FHI 360, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Kathleen Marinelli
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Hartford, CT, United States
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18
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Rheinheimer N, Beijers R, Bruinhof N, Cooijmans KHM, de Weerth C. Effects of daily full-term infant skin-to-skin contact on behavior and cognition at age three - secondary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023; 64:136-144. [PMID: 35942886 PMCID: PMC10087794 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Daily skin-to-skin contact (SSC) during early infancy fosters the long-term development of children born preterm. This is the first randomized controlled trial assessing the potential beneficial effects of daily SSC on executive functioning and socio-emotional behavior of children born full-term. Whether children of mothers who experienced prenatal stress and anxiety benefitted more from SSC was also explored. METHODS Pregnant women (N = 116) were randomly assigned to a SSC or care-as-usual (CAU) condition. Women in the SSC condition were instructed to perform one hour of SSC daily from birth until postnatal week five. Prenatal stress was measured with questionnaires on general and pregnancy-specific stress and anxiety completed by the mothers in gestational week 37. At child age three, mothers filled in questionnaires on children's executive functioning, and externalizing and internalizing behavior. Analyses were performed in an intention-to-treat (ITT), per-protocol, and dose-response approach. Netherlands Trial Register: NL5591. RESULTS In the ITT approach, fewer internalizing (95% CI = 0.11-1.00, U = 2148.50, r = .24, p = .001) and externalizing (95% CI = 0.04-2.62, t = 2.04, d = 0.38, p = .04) problems were reported in the SSC condition compared to the CAU condition. Multivariate analyses of variance did not show group differences on executive functioning. Additional analyses of covariance showed no moderations by maternal prenatal stress. CONCLUSIONS Current findings indicate that early daily SSC in full-term infants may foster children's behavioral development. Future replications, including behavioral observations of child behavior to complement maternal reports, are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Rheinheimer
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roseriet Beijers
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Social Development, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nina Bruinhof
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Social Development, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kelly H M Cooijmans
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Social Development, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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19
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Digital health tools to support parents with parent-infant sleep and mental well-being. NPJ Digit Med 2022; 5:185. [PMID: 36543920 PMCID: PMC9772418 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-022-00732-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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20
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Kidd T, Dferevine SL, Walker SC. Affective Touch and Regulation of Stress Responses. Health Psychol Rev 2022; 17:60-77. [PMID: 36346350 DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2022.2143854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Much has been documented on the association between stress and health. Both direct and indirect pathways have been identified and explored extensively, helping us understand trajectories from healthy individuals to reductions in well-being, and development of preclinical and disease states. Some of these pathways are well established within the field; physiology, affect regulation, and social relationships. The purpose of this review is to push beyond what is known separately about these pathways and provide a means to integrate them using one common mechanism. We propose that social touch, specifically affective touch, may be the missing active ingredient fundamental to our understanding of how close relationships contribute to stress and health. We provide empirical evidence detailing how affective touch is fundamental to the development of our stress systems, critical to the development of attachment bonds and subsequent social relationships across the life course. We will also explore how we can use this in applied contexts and incorporate it into existing interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Kidd
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moore University, Liverpool, U.K
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21
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Rheinheimer N, Beijers R, Cooijmans KHM, Brett BE, de Weerth C. Effects of skin-to-skin contact on full-term infants' stress reactivity and quality of mother-infant interactions. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22308. [PMID: 36282755 PMCID: PMC9539895 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) between mothers and their infants has beneficial effects in both preterm and full-term infants. Underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. This randomized controlled trial assessed whether daily SSC in full-term mother-infant dyads: (1) decreases infants' cortisol and behavioral reactivity to a mild naturalistic stressor, and (2) facilitates interaction quality between infants and mothers (i.e., improved maternal caregiving behavior and mother-infant adrenocortical synchrony). Pregnant Dutch women (N = 116) were recruited and randomly allocated to an SSC or care-as-usual condition. The SSC condition performed 1 h of SSC daily, from birth until postnatal week 5. In week 5, mothers bathed the infant (known mild stressor). Infant and maternal cortisol was sampled at baseline, 25 and 40 min after bathing, and infant and maternal behavior was rated. Results did not indicate effects of SSC on infant behavioral and cortisol reactivity to the bathing session. Similarly, no effect of SSC was found on maternal caregiving behavior and mother-infant adrenocortical synchrony. In conclusion, the findings provide no evidence that daily mother-infant SSC is associated with full-term infants' behavioral and adrenocortical stress reactivity or mother-infant interaction quality. Future studies should replicate these findings and unveil other potential mechanisms underlying beneficial effects of SSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Rheinheimer
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Roseriet Beijers
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands,Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud UniversityNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Kelly H. M. Cooijmans
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands,Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud UniversityNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Bonnie E. Brett
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
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22
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Gondim EC, Scorzafave LGDDS, dos Santos DD, Henrique NCP, Pereira FDM, de Mello DF. Matching between maternal knowledge about infant development and care for children under one year old. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022; 30:e3675. [PMID: 36287398 PMCID: PMC9580992 DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.5967.3675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to analyze maternal knowledge about infant development and its matching to the care offered to children during their first year of life. METHOD a longitudinal and prospective study, in the stages of pregnancy and of the child's 12th/13th month of life. Interviews were applied to 121 women in a Brazilian city, based on 21 items selected from the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory, related to the first year of life. Calculation of rates of correct answers was used, as well as regression by Ordinary Least Squares and White's standard error. RESULTS the participants who answered correctly more aspects have more years of study, are older and present high family incomes. When the "having a partner or not" variable was considered, the correct answers presented a discrete fluctuation. Regarding the themes, there were more correct answers to aspects about health, safety and infant development milestones. Primiparous mothers were more likely to wean, overprotect and have children using electronic devices, and less likely to seek information about child care. CONCLUSION there was matching between some maternal knowledge and execution of child care. The connection between them is relevant to indicate in detail the unknowns and uncertainties and to improve positive knowledge, contributing to promoting early childhood development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Cristina Gondim
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Domingues dos Santos
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Nayara Cristina Pereira Henrique
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabrícia de Magalhães Pereira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Débora Falleiros de Mello
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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23
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Theunissen W, van der Steen MC, van Veen MR, van Douveren F, Witlox MA, Tolk JJ. Parental experiences of children with developmental dysplasia of the hip: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e062585. [PMID: 36153020 PMCID: PMC9511546 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Dutch parents of children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), treated with a Pavlik harness, during the diagnostic and treatment process in the first year of life. DESIGN A qualitative study by means of semistructured interviews was conducted between September and December 2020. Qualitative content analysis was applied to code, categorise and thematise data. SETTING A large, tertiary referral centre for paediatric orthopaedics in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS A purposive sample of parents of children aged younger than 1 year, who were treated for DDH with a Pavlik harness, were interviewed until data saturation was achieved. A total of 20 interviews with 22 parents were conducted. RESULTS Five main themes emerged: (1) positive experiences with professionals and peers, (2) insufficient information, (3) treatment concerns, (4) difficulties parenting and (5) emotional burden. Most prominent features that resonated across the interviews which led to insecurity by parents were: insufficient pre-hospital information, unfiltered online information and the lack of overview of the patient journey. CONCLUSION This study offers novel insights into parental experiences in DDH care. Parents were generally satisfied with DDH care provided by the hospital. The biggest challenges were to cope with (1) insufficient and unfiltered information, (2) the lack of patient journey overview and (3) practical problems and emotional doubts, which led to concerns during treatment. Future research and interventions should focus on optimising information provision and guidance with practical and emotional support for parents of children with DDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wwes Theunissen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Trauma, Maxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - M C van der Steen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Trauma, Maxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Trauma, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - M R van Veen
- Dutch Hip Patient association 'Vereniging Afwijkende Heupontwikkeling (VAH)', Nijkerk, The Netherlands
| | - Fqmp van Douveren
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Trauma, Maxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - M A Witlox
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Trauma, Maxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J J Tolk
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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24
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Brzozowska A, Longo MR, Mareschal D, Wiesemann F, Gliga T. Oxytocin but not naturally occurring variation in caregiver touch associates with infant social orienting. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22290. [PMID: 35748632 PMCID: PMC9328151 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Caregiver touch is crucial for infants’ healthy development, but its role in shaping infant cognition has been relatively understudied. In particular, despite strong premises to hypothesize its function in directing infant attention to social information, little empirical evidence exists on the topic. In this study, we investigated the associations between naturally occurring variation in caregiver touch and infant social attention in a group of 6‐ to 13‐month‐old infants (n = 71). Additionally, we measured infant salivary oxytocin as a possible mediator of the effects of touch on infant social attention. The hypothesized effects were investigated both short term, with respect to touch observed during parent–infant interactions in the lab, and long term, with respect to parent‐reported patterns of everyday touching behaviors. We did not find evidence that caregiver touch predicts infant social attention or salivary oxytocin levels, short term or long term. However, we found that salivary oxytocin predicted infant preferential attention to faces relative to nonsocial objects, measured in an eye‐tracking task. Our findings confirm the involvement of oxytocin in social orienting in infancy, but raise questions regarding the possible environmental factors influencing the infant oxytocin system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Brzozowska
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK.,Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthew R Longo
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Denis Mareschal
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Frank Wiesemann
- Baby Care, Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany
| | - Teodora Gliga
- Department of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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25
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Chautems C. "Restoring the Sacred Part of Birth": Doula Care and Cesarean Birth in Switzerland. Med Anthropol 2022; 41:560-573. [PMID: 35819827 DOI: 10.1080/01459740.2022.2098492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
At 32.3%, Switzerland ranks among countries with the highest rates of cesarean deliveries in Europe. Because cesareans generally negatively influence the birth experience, parents turn to holistic therapists to heal somatic and emotional disorders not addressed by standard biomedical follow-ups. Doula care is still emerging in Switzerland. Although doulas are not allowed in the operation rooms, they support parents before birth and during the postpartum period. They aim at improving the birth experience by restoring intimate, "sacred" elements of birth through symbolic and spiritual practices. Based on interviews with doulas, I explore their experiences and practices regarding surgical birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Chautems
- Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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26
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McParlin Z, Cerritelli F, Rossettini G, Friston KJ, Esteves JE. Therapeutic Alliance as Active Inference: The Role of Therapeutic Touch and Biobehavioural Synchrony in Musculoskeletal Care. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:897247. [PMID: 35846789 PMCID: PMC9280207 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.897247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Touch is recognised as crucial for survival, fostering cooperative communication, accelerating recovery, reducing hospital stays, and promoting overall wellness and the therapeutic alliance. In this hypothesis and theory paper, we present an entwined model that combines touch for alignment and active inference to explain how the brain develops "priors" necessary for the health care provider to engage with the patient effectively. We appeal to active inference to explain the empirically integrative neurophysiological and behavioural mechanisms that underwrite synchronous relationships through touch. Specifically, we offer a formal framework for understanding - and explaining - the role of therapeutic touch and hands-on care in developing a therapeutic alliance and synchrony between health care providers and their patients in musculoskeletal care. We first review the crucial importance of therapeutic touch and its clinical role in facilitating the formation of a solid therapeutic alliance and in regulating allostasis. We then consider how touch is used clinically - to promote cooperative communication, demonstrate empathy, overcome uncertainty, and infer the mental states of others - through the lens of active inference. We conclude that touch plays a crucial role in achieving successful clinical outcomes and adapting previous priors to create intertwined beliefs. The ensuing framework may help healthcare providers in the field of musculoskeletal care to use hands-on care to strengthen the therapeutic alliance, minimise prediction errors (a.k.a., free energy), and thereby promote recovery from physical and psychological impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe McParlin
- Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Francesco Cerritelli
- Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | | | - Karl J. Friston
- Institute of Neurology, Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge E. Esteves
- Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
- Malta ICOM Educational, Gzira, Malta
- University College of Osteopathy, London, United Kingdom
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27
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Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Regulates Autonomic Markers in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10050813. [PMID: 35627950 PMCID: PMC9141319 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10050813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been found to be effective in the context of premature infants. Nonetheless, no studies have investigated the immediate effects of OMT on heart rate variability (HRV). As altered HRV reflects poor or worsening newborn’s clinical conditions and neurodevelopment, should OMT improve HRV fluctuations, it could become a relevant intervention for improving the care of preterm newborns. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether OMT could affect HRV. The study was carried out at the Buzzi Hospital in Milan. From the neonatal intensive care unit, ninety-six preterm infants (41 males) were enrolled and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: OMT or Static Touch. The infants were born at 33.5 weeks (±4.3) and had a mean birth weight of 2067 g (±929). The study had as primary outcome the change in the beat-to-beat variance in heart rate measured through root mean square of consecutive RR interval differences (RMSSD); other metrics were used as secondary and exploratory analyses. Despite the lack of statistically significant results regarding the primary outcomeand some study limitations, compared to static touch, OMT seemed to favor a parasympathetic modulation and improved HRV, which could reflect improvement in newborn’s clinical conditions and development.
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Hartwell M, Lin V, Gatewood A, Sajjadi NB, Garrett M, Reddy AK, Greiner B, Price J. Health disparities, COVID-19, and maternal and childbirth outcomes: a meta-epidemiological study of equity reporting in systematic reviews. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2022; 35:9622-9630. [PMID: 35282754 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2022.2049750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk for adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes, and birth complications. Given the health outcome disparities among pregnant women of racial and ethnic minorities and the reliance of medical practice on systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs)-as they are the apical component in the hierarchy of evidence in medical research-the primary objective of the study is to examine the inclusion of the equity reporting in SRMAs focused on pregnancy outcomes and COVID-19 using PROGRESS-Plus equity framework. PROGRESS represents equity measures of Place, Race, Occupation, Gender, Religion, Education, Social capital, and Socio-economic status. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of three databases to identify SRMAs related to maternal and pregnancy outcomes related to COVID-19. We extracted whether SRMAs reported or analyzed PROGRESS-Plus components among other study characteristics. RESULTS Nearly 85% of SRMAs did not include any equity items to account for racial or geographic disparities. Reporting of race was absent from 95% of the studies. Place was the most common PROGRESS item and maternal age was the most common PROGRESS-Plus item reported overall. CONCLUSION When research is performed and reported in a way that fails to address disparities, the downstream repercussions may include medical care in the form of new protocol-driven hospital management, pharmacologic interventions, and other treatment options that mirror this absence in reporting. The absence of adequate reporting widens gaps in health outcomes among at-risk groups, such as pregnant women of racial and ethnic minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah Hartwell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA.,Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Vanessa Lin
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Ashton Gatewood
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, OK, USA
| | - Nicholas B Sajjadi
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Morgan Garrett
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Arjun K Reddy
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Benjamin Greiner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jameca Price
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Community Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK, USA
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Gettler LT, Kuo PX, Sarma MS, Lefever JEB, Cummings EM, McKenna JJ, Braungart-Rieker JM. US fathers' reports of bonding, infant temperament and psychosocial stress based on family sleep arrangements. Evol Med Public Health 2022; 9:460-469. [PMID: 35154780 PMCID: PMC8830308 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoab038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Evolutionary-grounded sleep research has been critical to establishing the mutual dependence of breastfeeding and nighttime sleep proximity for mothers and infants. Evolutionary perspectives on cosleeping also often emphasize the emotional motivations for and potential benefits of sleep proximity, including for parent-infant bonding. However, this potential link between infant sleep location and bonding remains understudied for both mothers and fathers. Moreover, in Euro-American contexts bedsharing has been linked to family stress and difficult child temperament, primarily via maternal reports. We know relatively little about whether paternal psychosocial dynamics differ based on family sleep arrangements, despite fathers and other kin often being present in the cosleeping environment across cultures. Here, we aim to help address some of these gaps in knowledge pertaining to fathers and family sleep arrangements. Methodology Drawing on a sample of Midwestern U.S. fathers (N=195), we collected sociodemographic and survey data to analyze links between infant nighttime sleep location, paternal psychosocial well-being, father-infant bonding, and infant temperament. From fathers’ reports, families were characterized as routinely solitary sleeping, bedsharing, or roomsharing (without bedsharing). Results We found that routinely roomsharing or bedsharing fathers, respectively, reported stronger bonding than solitary sleepers. Bedsharing fathers also reported that their infants had more negative temperaments and also tended to report greater parenting-related stress due to difficulties with their children. Conclusions These cross-sectional results help to highlight how a practice with deep phylogenetic and evolutionary history, such as cosleeping, can be variably expressed within communities with the potential for family-dependent benefits or strains. Evolutionary-grounded cosleeping research has elucidated the intimate connections between mother-infant sleep proximity and breastfeeding. However, some Euro-American research indicates that bedsharing can coincide with family strain and stress. Here, U.S. fathers who routinely roomshared or bedshared, respectively, reported stronger bonds to their babies than solitary sleeping fathers, but bedsharing fathers also reported more negative infant temperament.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee T Gettler
- Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.,Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.,William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, USA
| | - Patty X Kuo
- Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Mallika S Sarma
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - E Mark Cummings
- William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - James J McKenna
- Department of Anthropology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA
| | - Julia M Braungart-Rieker
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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30
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Mariani Wigley ILC, Mascheroni E, Bonichini S, Montirosso R. Epigenetic protection: maternal touch and DNA-methylation in early life. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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32
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Jones NA, Mize KD. Ontogeny of the social brain in utero and in infancy: risk factors and resilience in socioemotional development. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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33
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Gondim EC, Scorzafave LGDDS, Santos DDD, Henrique NCP, Pereira FDM, Mello DFD. Correspondencia entre el conocimiento materno sobre el desarrollo infantil y el cuidado de los niños menores de un año. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.5967.3674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumen Objetivo: analizar el conocimiento materno sobre el desarrollo infantil y su correspondencia con el cuidado que se le brinda al niño en el primer año de vida. Método: estudio longitudinal, prospectivo, en las etapas de gestación y de los 12/13 meses del niño. Se les realizaron entrevistas a 121 mujeres de un municipio brasileño, basadas en 21 ítems seleccionados del Inventario de Conocimiento sobre Desarrollo Infantil, relacionados con el primer año de vida. Se utilizó el cálculo de las tasas de aciertos, la regresión de Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios y el error estándar de White. Resultados: las participantes que tuvieron una mayor cantidad de aciertos tienen más escolaridad, más edad e ingreso familiar alto. Los aciertos vinculados a la variable “tener pareja o no” mostraron una ligera oscilación. En cuanto a los temas, se registraron más aciertos en los ítems sobre salud, seguridad e hitos del desarrollo infantil. Las madres primíparas presentaron mayor probabilidad de destete, sobreprotección y de que el niño estuviera en contacto con dispositivos electrónicos, y menor probabilidad de buscar información sobre el cuidado infantil. Conclusión: hubo correspondencia entre algunos conocimientos maternos y los cuidados que le brindaron al niño. La conexión entre ellos es importante para indicar detalladamente las incógnitas y las dudas y mejorar el conocimiento positivo, que contribuye a promover el desarrollo infantil temprano.
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Shi Y, Zhang Y, Wei Q, Ma X, Zhang Y, Shi H. Longitudinal association between maternal psychological stress during pregnancy and infant neurodevelopment: The moderating effects of responsive caregiving. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1007507. [PMID: 36467481 PMCID: PMC9715968 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1007507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known regarding the role of responsive caregiving in the association between maternal psychological stress and child neurodevelopment. We, therefore, herein investigated the relationship between maternal psychological stress during pregnancy and children's neurodevelopment with modifications in responsive caregiving. METHODS A total of 3,603 mother-child pairs were recruited from the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort, and we assessed maternal psychological stress using the Life Events Scale for Pregnant Women (LESPW) during early and late pregnancy. Early neurodevelopment of infants at 6 and 12 months of age was also evaluated using the Age and Stage Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3). The 2-month-old infant nursing-care questionnaire was designed based on the Five Elements of Parenting Care Framework released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and used to evaluate the levels of early responsive caregiving for infants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then applied to determine the association between maternal psychological stress during pregnancy and child development. RESULTS The suspected developmental delay rate of infants aged 6 and 12 months ranged between 13.3% and 24.5%. After adjusting for confounders, we noted that high maternal subjective events stress during early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of suspected developmental delay in problem-solving domains at 12 months of age [adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-2.20]. High general negative objective events' stress during late pregnancy also constituted a risk factor for development in the personal-social domain at 12 months of age (aOR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.13-2.19). Remarkably, we noted in infants with insufficient responsive caregiving that there were greater associations between the risk of general maternal negative objective events during late pregnancy and personal-social domain at 12 months of age (aOR = 2.06; 95% CI, 1.15-3.68). Similarly, there was a greater association between the risk for maternal subjective events during early pregnancy and problem-solving at 12 months of age (aOR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.11-2.34). CONCLUSIONS Maternal psychological stress during pregnancy was predominantly associated with suspected developmental delay in infants at 6 and 12 months of age, and these associations were modified by early responsive caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yudi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Wei
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuemei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijing Shi
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As maternal mortality climbs in the USA with mental health conditions driving these preventable deaths, the field of reproductive psychiatry must shift towards identification of women and other birthing individuals at risk and facilitating access. This review brings together recent studies regarding risk of perinatal depression and highlights important comorbidities that place individuals at higher vulnerability to poor perinatal outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Recent research suggests that identifying risk for perinatal depression including historical diagnoses of depression, anxiety, trauma, and comorbid substance use and intimate partner violence may move the field to focus on preventive care in peripartum populations. Emerging data shows stark health inequities in racial and ethnic minority populations historically marginalized by the health system and in other vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals and those with severe mental illness. Innovative models of care using systems-level approaches can provide opportunities for identification and risk analyses of vulnerable peripartum patients and facilitate access to therapeutic or preventive interventions. Utilizing intergenerational approaches and leveraging multidisciplinary teams that thoughtfully target high-risk women and other birthing individuals could promote significant changes to population-level care in maternal health.
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36
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Gondim EC, Scorzafave LGDDS, Santos DDD, Henrique NCP, Pereira FDM, Mello DFD. Correspondência entre conhecimentos maternos sobre desenvolvimento infantil e cuidados de crianças menores de um ano. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.5967.3676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo Objetivo: analisar os conhecimentos maternos sobre o desenvolvimento infantil e sua correspondência aos cuidados ofertados à criança no primeiro ano de vida. Método: estudo longitudinal, prospectivo, nas etapas da gestação e 12º/13º mês da criança. Foram aplicadas entrevistas a 121 mulheres de um município brasileiro, baseadas em 21 itens selecionados do Inventário de Conhecimento sobre o Desenvolvimento Infantil, relativos ao primeiro ano de vida. Utilizou-se o cálculo de taxas de acertos, regressão por Mínimos Quadrados Ordinários e erro padrão de White. Resultados: as participantes que acertaram mais aspectos possuem mais anos de estudo, mais idade e renda familiar elevada. Os acertos quando considerada a variável “ter ou não companheiro/a” apresentaram discreta oscilação. Quanto às temáticas, acertaram mais aspectos sobre saúde, segurança e marcos do desenvolvimento infantil. Mães primíparas apresentaram maior probabilidade de desmame, superproteção e da criança ter contato com aparelhos eletrônicos, e menor probabilidade de buscar informações sobre cuidados infantis. Conclusão: houve correspondência entre alguns conhecimentos maternos e a execução dos cuidados da criança. A conexão entre eles é relevante para indicar detalhadamente os desconhecimentos e as incertezas e aprimorar os saberes positivos, contribuindo para promover o desenvolvimento na primeira infância.
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37
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Anim T, Na’Allah R, Griebel C. Postpartum Care. Fam Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-54441-6_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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38
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Müller-Oerlinghausen B, Eggart M, Norholt H, Gerlach M, Kiebgis GM, Arnold MM, Moberg KU. [Touch Medicine - a complementary therapeutic approach exemplified by the treatment of depression]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2021; 147:e32-e40. [PMID: 34921360 PMCID: PMC8841210 DOI: 10.1055/a-1687-2445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Haut-zu-Haut-Berührung stellt die ursprünglichste Sinneserfahrung von Mensch und Tier dar. Ein Mangel an Berührung in der Kindheit ist mit negativen Folgen für die psychosoziale und körperliche Gesundheit verbunden. Für die Entdeckung von Rezeptoren für Temperatur und Berührung im Körper wurde 2021 der Medizin-Nobelpreis verliehen. Klinische Studien belegen den Nutzen von professionellen Berührungstechniken zur Prävention und Therapie verschiedener Erkrankungen. Der breiten Anwendung einer professionellen Berührungstherapie gilt jedoch bis heute nur ein geringes klinisches Interesse. Wir schlagen eine neue Fachdisziplin der „Berührungsmedizin“ vor und spannen nachstehend einen Bogen zwischen den Erkenntnissen moderner Berührungsforschung und der klinischen Medizin. Exemplarisch steht dabei die Behandlung der primär als Leibkrankheit konzipierten Depression im Vordergrund. Kontrollierte Studien und systematische Übersichten belegen die antidepressive, anxiolytische sowie analgetische Wirksamkeit spezieller Massagetechniken in dieser Indikation. Auch für die Neonatologie, Pädiatrie, Schmerzmedizin, Onkologie und Geriatrie konnte die Wirksamkeit heilsamer Berührung gezeigt werden. Die jeweiligen Wirkmechanismen werden auf verschiedenen Konstrukt-Ebenen diskutiert. Im Vordergrund des internationalen Forschungsinteresses stehen derzeit das Interozeptionskonzept, zum anderen endokrinologische, z. B. oxytocinerge Effekte und die Aktivierung sog. CT-Afferenzen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Müller-Oerlinghausen
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.,Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin, Deutschland
| | - Michael Eggart
- Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten, University of Applied Sciences, Fakultät Soziale Arbeit, Gesundheit und Pflege, Weingarten, Deutschland
| | - Henrik Norholt
- SomAffect - The Somatosensory & Affective Neuroscience Group, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Gerlach
- Dr.-Reisach-Kliniken für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Hochgratklinik GmbH & Co. KG, Oberstaufen, Deutschland
| | | | | | - Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Schweden
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Barry ES, McKenna JJ. Reasons mothers bedshare: A review of its effects on infant behavior and development. Infant Behav Dev 2021; 66:101684. [PMID: 34929477 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2021.101684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Bedsharing is controversial for nighttime caregiving in the U.S. today, as in most of the West. However, from the standpoint of evolutionary pediatrics, anthropology, and cultural psychology, bedsharing is not controversial at all, representing the context for human infant evolution and conferring a host of physiological benefits to the infant as well as the mother. In an effort to understand the rise in Western bedsharing in recent decades (and following Ball, 2002; McKenna & Volpe, 2007), Salm Ward (2015) systematically reviewed the literature on mother-infant bedsharing and identified ten reasons why mothers choose to bedshare: (1) breastfeeding, (2) comforting for mother or infant, (3) better/more sleep for infant or parent, (4) monitoring, (5) bonding/ attachment, (6) environmental reasons, (7) crying, (8) cultural or familial traditions, (9) disagree with danger, and (10) maternal instinct. The current paper offers the "review behind the review," highlighting the scientific evidence behind the reasons mothers give for their decision to bedshare, focusing on how mothers' decisions about infant sleep location influence infant behavior and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine S Barry
- Human Development & Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, Fayette, The Eberly Campus, USA.
| | - James J McKenna
- Mother-Baby Sleep Lab, Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, USA; Department of Anthropology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA
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Takács L, Bartoš F, Čepický P, Kaňková Š. The Effects of Intrapartum Administration of Synthetic Oxytocin on Breastfeeding in the First 9 Months Postpartum: A Longitudinal Prospective Study. Breastfeed Med 2021; 16:965-970. [PMID: 34463162 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2020.0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective: Synthetic oxytocin (synOT) is a widely used drug to induce or accelerate labor and to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Although some studies indicate there are associations between intrapartum synOT and impaired breastfeeding initiation or earlier cessation, the long-term effects of synOT on breastfeeding are largely understudied. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of synOT on breastfeeding status during the first 9 months postpartum. Materials and Methods: The women were recruited from five maternity hospitals during prenatal medical checkups or postpartum hospital stay. They reported their breastfeeding status on discharge from maternity hospital (mean 4.54 days postpartum) (N = 439), at 6 weeks (N = 439), and at 9 months postpartum (N = 274). The data related to synOT administration were extracted from the medical records. Results: In the analysis adjusted for maternal age, parity, educational level, marital status, child's sex, delivery mode, and labor analgesia/anesthesia, intrapartum administration of synOT predicted a lower probability of exclusive breastfeeding on discharge from maternity hospital (odds ratio = 0.37; p = 0.006), but we observed no effect on breastfeeding status at 6 weeks or 9 months postpartum. Conclusion: Our results suggest that adverse effects of synOT on breastfeeding do not persist beyond the first postpartum days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Takács
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - František Bartoš
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Čepický
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Kaňková
- Department of Philosophy and History of Science, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imagination, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
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Fotopoulou A, von Mohr M, Krahé C. Affective regulation through touch: homeostatic and allostatic mechanisms. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2021; 43:80-87. [PMID: 34841013 PMCID: PMC7612031 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We focus on social touch as a paradigmatic case of the embodied, cognitive, and metacognitive processes involved in social, affective regulation. Social touch appears to contribute three interrelated but distinct functions to affective regulation. First, it regulates affects by fulfilling embodied predictions about social proximity and attachment. Second, caregiving touch, such as warming an infant, regulates affect by socially enacting homeostatic control and co-regulation of physiological states. Third, affective touch such as gentle stroking or tickling regulates affect by allostatic regulation of the salience and epistemic gain of particular experiences in given contexts and timescales. These three functions of affective touch are most likely mediated, at least partly, by different neurobiological processes, including convergent hedonic, dopaminergic and analgesic, opioidergic pathways for the attachment function, 'calming' autonomic and endocrine pathways for the homeostatic function, while the allostatic function may be mediated by oxytocin release and related 'salience' neuromodulators and circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Fotopoulou
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mariana von Mohr
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Krahé
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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42
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Toyama N. Developmental changes in infants' physical contact with others across the transitional period from crawling to walking. INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/icd.2288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Toyama
- School of Human Sciences Waseda University Tokorozawa Japan
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43
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Taylor CL, Brown HK, Saunders NR, Barker LC, Chen S, Cohen E, Dennis CL, Ray JG, Vigod SN. Maternal Schizophrenia, Skin-to-Skin Contact, and Infant Feeding Initiation. Schizophr Bull 2021; 48:145-153. [PMID: 34308961 PMCID: PMC8781380 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends mothers and infants be in direct skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible. Little is known in women with schizophrenia. METHODS We conducted a population-based cohort study using administrative health data from Ontario, Canada (2012-2014), comparing women with (n = 471) and without schizophrenia (n = 218 435), and their infants, on the primary outcomes of any skin-to-skin contact and opportunity to initiate breastfeeding within the first 2 h after birth. For dyads with available data, secondary outcomes of intention to breastfeed, breastfeeding support, any breastmilk, and exclusive breastmilk at discharge were assessed. Modified Poisson regression was used to generate relative risks (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for maternal age, parity, neighbourhood income, region of residence, smoking in pregnancy, and maternal medical and non-psychotic psychiatric comorbidity for all outcomes. RESULTS Maternal schizophrenia was associated with lower likelihood of skin-to-skin contact (65.2% vs 78.1%; aRR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82-0.94), and breastfeeding initiation post-delivery (38.9% vs 52.6% aRR 0.80, CI: 0.71-0.90) compared to dyads unexposed to maternal schizophrenia. Secondary outcomes followed a similar pattern. The magnitude of the effect was slightly less when restricting the cohort to full-term, vaginal deliveries, not admitted to NICU, and infant not discharged to social services. CONCLUSIONS Reduced maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding initiation immediately after birth may significantly impact maternal-child bonding and the establishment breastfeeding in this population. Mothers with schizophrenia may require individualized support to promote these WHO recommended hospital practices in the early post-natal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare L Taylor
- Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hilary K Brown
- Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Health & Society, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Natasha R Saunders
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lucy C Barker
- Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Eyal Cohen
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cindy-Lee Dennis
- St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Lawrence S Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joel G Ray
- St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada,The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Simone N Vigod
- Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Women’s College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1B2, Canada; tel: +416-323-6400, fax: +416-323-6356, e-mail:
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44
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Norholt H. Delivering Clinically on Our Knowledge of Oxytocin and Sensory Stimulation: The Potential of Infant Carrying in Primary Prevention. Front Psychol 2021; 11:590051. [PMID: 33995157 PMCID: PMC8116555 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is one of the most intensively researched neuropeptides during the three past decades. In benign social contexts, OT exerts a range of desirable socioemotional, stress-reducing, and immunoregulatory effects in mammals and humans and influences mammalian parenting. Consequentially, research in potential pharmacological applications of OT toward human social deficits/disorders and physical illness has increased substantially. Regrettably, the results from the administration of exogenous OT are still relatively inconclusive. Research in rodent maternal developmental programming has demonstrated the susceptibility of offspring endogenous OT systems to maternal somatosensory stimulation, with consequences for behavioral, epigenetic, cognitive, and neurological outcomes. A translation of this animal research into practically feasible human parenting recommendations has yet to happen, despite the significant prevention potential implied by the maternal developmental programming research. Extended physical contact with full-term healthy infants in the months following birth (infant carrying) might constitute the human equivalent of those specific rodent maternal behaviors, found to positively influence emerging OT systems. Findings from both OT and maternal programming research parallel those found for infants exposed to such extended parental physical contact, whether through skin-to-skin contact or infant carrying. Clinical support of parents to engage in extended physical contact represents a feasible intervention to create optimum conditions for the development of infant OT systems, with potential beneficial long-term health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Norholt
- SomAffect - The Somatosensory & Affective Neuroscience Group, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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45
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Guida E, Scano A, Storm F, Biffi E, Reni G, Montirosso R. Mother-Infant Interaction Kinect Analysis (MIIKA): An automatic kinematic-based methodology for the investigation of interpersonal distance during early exchanges. Infant Behav Dev 2021; 63:101567. [PMID: 33894631 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2021.101567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Interpersonal distance is a core aspect of mother-child interaction. While conventional measures based on human coders do not fully capture the dynamics of this feature, computational methods provide automatic measures which can detect even small changes and more accurate estimates both spatially and temporally. Using RGB-D sensors (Microsoft Kinect V2), the present study describes a setup to automatically examine interpersonal distance during mother-child interactions, termed Mother-Infant Interaction Kinect Analysis (MIIKA). First, the laboratory setting and the data extraction method are described. By using an ad-hoc algorithm for kinematic data extraction, MIIKA returns three metrics: barycenter position (distance and velocity of approach and separation), movements (number of small, medium and large approaches and separations) and contributions (proportional contributions of mother and child to approaches and separations). Secondly, preliminary MIIKA metrics are described for a non-clinical mother-child dyad as an exemplification of the protocol. As interpersonal distance can be affected by contingent situations, we detected mother-infant full skeleton during three interactional contexts characterized by different kinds of dyadic exchanges: a free play session, a task-oriented activity and an emotionally arousing condition. Results highlighted similarities and differences between the three interactional contexts. MIIKA appears to be a promising setup to automatically examine interpersonal distance in early mother-child interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Guida
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Alessandro Scano
- Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing (STIIMA), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Storm
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Emilia Biffi
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Reni
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy.
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46
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Malatesta G, Marzoli D, Prete G, Tommasi L. Human Lateralization, Maternal Effects and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:668520. [PMID: 33828467 PMCID: PMC8019713 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.668520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, behavioral laterality and hemispheric asymmetries are part of a complex biobehavioral system in which genetic factors have been repeatedly proposed as developmental determinants of both phenomena. However, no model solely based on genetic factors has proven conclusive, pushing towards the inclusion of environmental and epigenetic factors into the system. Moreover, it should be pointed out that epigenetic modulation might also account for why certain genes are expressed differently in parents and offspring. Here, we suggest the existence of a sensitive period in early postnatal development, during which the exposure to postural and motor lateral biases, expressed in interactive sensorimotor coordination with the caregiver, canalizes hemispheric lateralization in the “typical” direction. Despite newborns and infants showing their own inherent asymmetries, the canalizing effect of the interactive context owes most to adult caregivers (usually the mother), whose infant-directed lateralized behavior might have been specifically selected for as a population-level trait, functional to confer fitness to offspring. In particular, the case of the left-cradling bias (LCB; i.e., the population-level predisposition of mothers to hold their infants on the left side) represents an instance of behavioral trait exhibiting heritability along the maternal line, although no genetic investigation has been carried out so far. Recent evidence, moreover, seems to suggest that the reduction of this asymmetry is related to several unfavorable conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders. Future studies are warranted to understand whether and how genetic and epigenetic factors affect the lateralization of early mother-infant interaction and the proneness of the offspring to neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Malatesta
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Daniele Marzoli
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giulia Prete
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luca Tommasi
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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47
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Cardenas SI, Stoycos SA, Sellery P, Marshall N, Khoddam H, Kaplan J, Goldenberg D, Saxbe DE. Theory of mind processing in expectant fathers: Associations with prenatal oxytocin and parental attunement. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:1549-1567. [PMID: 33748973 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Social cognition may facilitate fathers' sensitive caregiving behavior. We administered the Why-How Task, an fMRI task that elicits theory of mind processing, to expectant fathers (n = 39) who also visited the laboratory during their partner's pregnancy and provided a plasma sample for oxytocin assay. Three months postpartum, fathers reported their beliefs about parenting. When rating "Why" an action was being performed versus "How" the action was being performed (Why > How contrast), participants showed activation in regions theorized to support theory of mind, including the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and superior temporal sulcus. Fathers' prenatal oxytocin levels predicted greater signal change during the Why > How contrast in the inferior parietal lobule. Both prenatal oxytocin and attunement parenting beliefs were associated with Why > How activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a theory of mind region implicated in emotion regulation. Posterior parahippocampal gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation during the Why > How contrast predicted fathers' attunement parenting beliefs. In conclusion, fathers' neural activation when engaging in a theory of mind task was associated with their prenatal oxytocin levels and their postpartum attunement parenting beliefs. Results suggest biological and cognitive components of fathering may track with the theory of mind processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia I Cardenas
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah A Stoycos
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pia Sellery
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Narcis Marshall
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Khoddam
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonas Kaplan
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Diane Goldenberg
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Darby E Saxbe
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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48
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Postpartum Care. Fam Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_15-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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49
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Müller-Oerlinghausen B, Eggart M. Touch Research-Quo Vadis? A Plea for High-Quality Clinical Trials. Brain Sci 2020; 11:brainsci11010025. [PMID: 33379131 PMCID: PMC7823347 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Eggart
- Faculty Social Work, Health and Nursing, Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences, 88250 Weingarten, Germany;
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50
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Bigelow AE, Williams LR. To have and to hold: Effects of physical contact on infants and their caregivers. Infant Behav Dev 2020; 61:101494. [PMID: 32966905 PMCID: PMC7502223 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2020.101494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ann E Bigelow
- Department of Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, B2G 2W5, Canada.
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