Edwards H, Buisman-Pijlman FT, Esterman A, Phillips C, Smart L, Orgeig S, Gordon A. Assessing mother-infant bonding: reliability of the recorded interaction task.
J Reprod Infant Psychol 2024;
42:517-527. [PMID:
36224742 DOI:
10.1080/02646838.2022.2134848]
[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: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Recorded Interaction Task (RIT); a novel tool to assess mother-infant bonding via observational methods.
BACKGROUND
Mother-infant bonding describes the reciprocal early emotional connection between mother and infant. Whilst various tools exist to assess mother-infant bonding, many incorrectly confuse this construct with mother-infant attachment. Further, available tools are limited to those that employ self-report methods, thus may reflect perceived behaviour, rather than actual behaviour. The RIT is a novel tool for observational assessment of mother-infant bonding. A standard interaction between mother and infant is recorded, and later assessed against specified bonding-related behaviours. Before its use in research, reliability testing must be undertaken to ensure the RIT may be used consistently.
METHODS
The RIT was administered to 15 mother-infant dyads. Participant recordings were assessed by three trained raters at two time points, using the RIT observation scoring sheet. Intra-rater reliability was determined by comparing scores at each time point for each rater. Inter-rater reliability was determined by assessing reliability of scores at the first time point.
RESULTS
Strong intra-rater reliability (ICC >0.86) and fair inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.55) were observed.
CONCLUSION
The current findings support the RIT's potential to reliably assess mother-infant bonding.
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