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Creasey N, Beijers R, O'Donnell KJ, de Weerth C, Tollenaar MS. Maternal sensitivity and child internalizing and externalizing behavior: a mediating role for glucocorticoid receptor gene ( NR3C1) methylation? Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:967-978. [PMID: 36896668 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000226] [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] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
The early caregiving environment can have lasting effects on child mental health. Animal models suggest that glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) DNA methylation plays a mediating role in linking more responsive caregiving to improved behavioral outcomes by its impact on the stress regulatory system. In this longitudinal study, we examined whether children's NR3C1 methylation levels mediate an effect of maternal sensitivity in infancy on levels of child internalizing and externalizing behavior in a community sample. Maternal sensitivity of 145 mothers was rated at infant age 5 weeks, 12 months, and 30 months by observing mother-infant interactions. Buccal DNA methylation was assessed in the same children at age 6 years and maternal-reported internalizing and externalizing behavior was assessed at age 6 and 10 years. Higher sensitivity at age 5 weeks significantly predicted lower DNA methylation levels at two NR3C1 CpG loci, although methylation levels at these loci did not mediate an effect of maternal sensitivity on levels of child internalizing and externalizing behavior. Overall, the study provides evidence that maternal sensitivity in early infancy is associated with DNA methylation levels at loci involved in stress regulation, but the significance of this finding for child mental health remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Creasey
- Preventive Youth Care, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roseriet Beijers
- Department of Social Development, Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, the Netherlands, and Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Kieran J O'Donnell
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, QC, Canada; Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Child and Brain Development Program, Canada; and Yale Child Study Center & Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke S Tollenaar
- Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, the Netherlands
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Castagna A, Butti N, Cordolcini L, Innocenti MS, Montirosso R. Severity of developmental delay and parenting behavior in toddlers with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1306227. [PMID: 38250103 PMCID: PMC10796769 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1306227] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The presence of a neurodevelopmental disability (ND) represents an adverse condition for child's development and parent-child relationship, and it is reasonable to assume that the severity of delay may influence parenting behavior. Previous research, however, did not specifically address this issue. Methods This cross-sectional study compared parental behaviors of mothers of toddlers with moderate/severe or mild/borderline developmental delay and mothers of toddlers with typical development, while considering maternal emotional states. A total of 88 dyads with children aged between 12 and 47 months participated in a 10-min video-recorded interaction then coded with the PICCOLO, a validated observation checklist that assesses four dimensions of parenting: affection, responsiveness, encouragement, and teaching. The mothers also fulfilled two standardized questionnaires assessing parental stress and presence of depressive symptoms. MANOVA and MANCOVA models were used to explore between-group differences in specific parenting dimensions, also considering parental stress. Results Mothers of toddlers with ND were less responsive than the comparison group, while the presence of a moderate/severe developmental delay specifically affected teaching behaviors. No differences emerged for affection and encouragement behaviors. Importantly, although mothers of toddlers with moderate/severe ND reported higher child-related dysfunctional interaction stress, this did not directly affect parenting behaviors. Discussion These findings highlight how the presence of a disability and the severity of developmental delay can affect specific dimensions of parenting (i.e., responsiveness, teaching) and might inform clinical practice and research on early parental interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Castagna
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Niccolò Butti
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
- PhD Program in Neural and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Laura Cordolcini
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Mark S. Innocenti
- Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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Sturrock S, Sadoo S, Nanyunja C, Le Doare K. Improving the Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis in Resource-Limited Settings: Gaps and Recommendations. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:121-134. [PMID: 38116466 PMCID: PMC10728307 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s410785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal sepsis causes significant global morbidity and mortality, with the highest burden in resource-limited settings where 99% of neonatal deaths occur. There are multiple challenges to achieving successful treatment of neonates in this setting. Firstly, reliable and low-cost strategies for risk identification are urgently needed to facilitate treatment as early as possible. Improved laboratory capacity to allow identification of causative organisms would support antimicrobial stewardship. Antibiotic treatment is still hampered by availability, but also increasingly by antimicrobial resistance - making surveillance of organisms and judicious antibiotic use a priority. Finally, supportive care is key in the management of the neonate with sepsis and has been underrecognized as a priority in resource-limited settings. This includes fluid balance and nutritional support in the acute phase, and follow-up care in order to mitigate complications and optimise long-term outcomes. There is much more work to be done in identifying the holistic needs of neonates and their families to provide effective family-integrated interventions and complete the package of neonatal sepsis management in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Sturrock
- Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, St George’s, University of London, London, UK
| | - Samantha Sadoo
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and International Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Carol Nanyunja
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Kirsty Le Doare
- Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, St George’s, University of London, London, UK
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, UK
- Makerere University, Johns Hopkins University, Kampala, Uganda
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Léniz-Maturana L, Vilaseca R, Leiva D, Gallardo-Rodríguez R. Positive Parenting and Sociodemographic Factors Related to the Development of Chilean Children Born to Adolescent Mothers. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1778. [PMID: 38002869 PMCID: PMC10670009 DOI: 10.3390/children10111778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The lack of economic resources has a negative effect on the maternal role of younger mothers. In Chile, the majority of adolescent pregnancies occur in socially and economically vulnerable contexts. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between demographic variables within the family context and parenting behaviors among Chilean adolescent mothers (including affection, responsiveness, encouragement, and teaching). These factors were correlated with communication, problem-solving abilities, and personal-social development in typically developing infants. The study included a sample of 79 Chilean adolescent mother-child dyads with children aged 10 to 24 months. Communication, problem-solving, and personal-social development were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3, along with a demographic information questionnaire. The parenting behaviors mentioned above were observed using the Spanish version of Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes. The findings indicated that mothers in employment and those who had not dropped out of school had children with better problem-solving skills. Additionally, children residing with their fathers and female children performed better in communication, problem-solving, and personal-social development. Maternal responsiveness was associated with communication and problem-solving, while maternal encouragement was linked to improved problem-solving skills. Maternal teaching was connected to communication, problem-solving, and personal-social development. The study emphasized the significance of parenting and sociodemographic factors among adolescent mothers and their influence on their children's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Léniz-Maturana
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Rosa Vilaseca
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - David Leiva
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Rodrigo Gallardo-Rodríguez
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Conditioning, Faculty of Education, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción 4070129, Chile;
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Cavalera C, Quiroga A, Oasi O. Ashamed or afraid? Traumatic symptom severity and emotional activations of Covid-19-related events. Asian J Psychiatr 2023; 82:103500. [PMID: 36796219 PMCID: PMC9898053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the role of shame, guilt, and fear activations related to Covid-19 stressful experiences in predicting traumatic symptoms. We focused on 72 Italian adults recruited in Italy. The primary outcome was to explore the traumatic symptoms severity and negative emotions associated with COVID-19-related experiences. The presence of traumatic symptoms was met by a total of 36%. Shame and fear activations predicted traumatic scales. Qualitative content analysis identified Self-centered, and Externally-centered counterfactual thoughts and five relevant subcategories were also identified. The present findings suggest the importance of shame in the maintenance of traumatic symptoms related to COVID-19 experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Cavalera
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano.
| | | | - Osmano Oasi
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
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Montirosso R, Castagna A, Butti N, Innocenti MS, Roggman LA, Rosa E. A contribution to the Italian validation of the Parenting Interaction with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcome (PICCOLO). Front Psychol 2023; 14:1105218. [PMID: 37063559 PMCID: PMC10090383 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1105218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction PICCOLO (Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes) is an observational instrument designed to assess four domains of parenting interactions that promote early child development (Affection, Responsiveness, Encouragement, and Teaching). Although PICCOLO has been validated in the United States for children as young as 4 months of age, the current focus is on parents with children aged between 10 and 47 months. This study contributes to the validation of the Italian translation of the PICCOLO by testing its psychometric properties and examining whether factors such as the child's age and child's sex are related to the four domains of parenting interactions. Methods To these aims, 152 mothers of children aged 10-47 months from three Italian regions participated in the study. Results Results indicate that the PICCOLO Italian version has acceptable inter-rater agreement, split-half reliability, and stability over time. Furthermore, the Italian version confirmed the robustness of the factor structure proposed in the original version. While there were no significant differences by child gender on the domains of parenting interactions, the Affection scores decreased with age. Discussion Overall, these results demonstrate that the Italian version of the PICCOLO is a reliable measure of maternal interactions with children. The psychometric properties of the instrument make it appropriate for general research purposes and for assessment of parenting before and after support interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS “Eugenio Medea”, Lecco, Italy
| | - Annalisa Castagna
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS “Eugenio Medea”, Lecco, Italy
| | - Niccolò Butti
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS “Eugenio Medea”, Lecco, Italy
- Ph.D. Program in Neural and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mark S. Innocenti
- Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Lori A. Roggman
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Elisa Rosa
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS “Eugenio Medea”, Lecco, Italy
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Rivero M, Vilaseca R, Cantero MJ, Valls-Vidal C, Leiva D. Relations between Positive Parenting Behavior during Play and Child Language Development at Early Ages. CHILDREN 2023; 10:children10030505. [PMID: 36980063 PMCID: PMC10047316 DOI: 10.3390/children10030505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Parental behavior in interactions with children has been related to child language development. Our study contributes to the literature about relations between the characteristics of parent–child interactions during play and a child’s language development in typically developing children at early ages, with data from mothers and fathers from the same families in Spain. Our aim was to analyze the relation between positive parenting behaviors assessed with the Spanish version of the Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes (PICCOLO) and child language development assessed with the Bayley-III scales. We controlled for some sociodemographic variables. The participants were 90 children aged 15–31 months and their mothers and fathers. Bivariate analysis showed significant positive relations between mothers’ responsive, encouraging and teaching behaviors and a child’s language scores. Relations were found between fathers’ encouraging and teaching behaviors and a child’s language. Regression models indicate that maternal and paternal encouraging behaviors predicted 18% of the variability in the child’s receptive language, and maternal responsive and teaching behaviors predicted 16% of the variability in the child’s expressive language and total language scores. The study provides new data that support the relevance of positive parental behaviors to improve a child’s linguistic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Rivero
- Department of Cognition, Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Vilaseca
- Department of Cognition, Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-José Cantero
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-963983468
| | - Clara Valls-Vidal
- Department of Psychology, University Abat Oliba-CEU, 08022 Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Leiva
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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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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Grumi S, Borgatti R, Provenzi L. Supporting Parenting at Home-Empowering Rehabilitation through Engagement (SPHERE): study protocol for a randomised control trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e051817. [PMID: 34907057 PMCID: PMC8672000 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051817] [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: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infants with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDs) show emotional, cognitive and sociointeractive dysregulation dramatically impacting on caregiving behaviour. Early video-feedback interventions (VFIs) are effective in promoting sensitive parenting, which in turn supports infants' development, even in case of ND. In the light of limited resources of the healthcare systems, technological advances in telemedicine may facilitate the delivery of VFI to a greater number of families of infants with ND. To date, no study has implemented a telemedicine VFI (TVFI) for families of infants diagnosed with ND. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The Supporting Parenting at Home-Empowering Rehabilitation through Engagement project is a randomised controlled trial aimed at assessing the effectiveness of an early family-centred TVFI parenting support on dyads with infants diagnosed with ND. It includes two arms (TVFI vs Booklet Psychoeducational Intervention) and three assessment phases: T0, baseline; T1, immediate postintervention; T2, 6-month follow-up. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study is funded by the Italian Ministry of Health and was approved by the Ethics Committee (Pavia). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The study protocol has been also registered on NIH Clinical Trials (protocol code NCT04656483; Pre-results).
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Grumi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Livio Provenzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Vilaseca R, Ferrer F, Rivero M, Bersabé RM. Early Intervention Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain: Toward a Model of Family-Centered Practices. Front Psychol 2021; 12:738463. [PMID: 34858273 PMCID: PMC8631765 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.738463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Early intervention services (EIS) worked hard to continue serving children and their families during the COVID-19 lockdown, using online applications. This study aimed to determine families’ and professionals’ perceptions of the functioning of the early intervention (EI) model in Spain during the pandemic. The study sample comprised two subsamples: 81 families of children attended at an EIS (72 mothers and 9 fathers) and 213 professionals recruited from EIS. The survey was conducted online several weeks after the end of the strict lockdown in Spain. Descriptive statistics of the questionnaire answered by families and professionals were compiled, comparisons were made between the families’ and the professionals’ responses, and the relationships with several sociodemographic variables were analyzed. The results indicated that parents who cared for their children and were fully responsible for housework, parents who had used telematic tools before the lockdown, and younger professionals had a more positive perception of the EI model and the incorporation of family-centered practices (FCP) during the pandemic. The results also showed statistically significant differences in some items between parents and professionals: for example, professionals perceived more advantages than families during the lockdown, quoting the greater participation of families in the intervention and a greater focus on families’ needs. The data obtained from professionals suggested a more positive attitude toward FCP: however, the results show that they continued to adopt a directive role in the intervention, a position that is at odds with the tenets of FCP. There is a clear need for more training if a paradigm shift to FCP is to be achieved. Families’ and caregivers’ perceptions of telerehabilitation, and their adherence to telerehabilitation programs, are discussed. The implications of this study with regard to guiding future telematic interventions and family support are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Vilaseca
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fina Ferrer
- Municipal Institute of Social Services of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magda Rivero
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa M Bersabé
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Behavioral Sciences, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
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Provenzi L, Grumi S, Rinaldi E, Giusti L. The porridge-like framework: A multidimensional guidance to support parents of children with developmental disabilities. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2021; 117:104048. [PMID: 34375793 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Parents of children with developmental disabilities face many daily challenges that can lead to emotional and affective problems, difficulties in caregiving, and partial mental representations about themselves and their children. The multi-faceted nature of these parents' needs requires a multi-component approach that should include the analysis of priority support goals and the planning of tailored therapeutic actions. Despite different types of validated interventions are available, the choice of the most appropriate strategy to pursue a family-centered approach to support parents of infants with developmental disabilities is not obvious. In this scenario, we propose a multi-dimensional model, the porridge-like framework of parenting. It considers three interrelated domains in parents' experience - affective (A), behavioral (B), and cognitive (C) aspects - that are intertwined with the specific degree of the child's impairment (D). This ABCD model may provide professionals with pragmatically valid guidance to plan and deliver family-centered healthcare interventions. By covering the multi-dimensional nature of parenting challenges, it provides clinicians with conceptual categories to recognize the specific needs and to choose the most suitable therapeutic action to address them. In addition, it aims to promote an ethical approach to family-centered rehabilitation for children with developmental disabilities, maximizing the potentials of a collaborative assessment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Serena Grumi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisa Rinaldi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Giusti
- Faculty of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
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Craig F, Tenuta F, Rizzato V, Costabile A, Trabacca A, Montirosso R. Attachment-related dimensions in the epigenetic era: A systematic review of the human research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:654-666. [PMID: 33727029 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, an increasing number of studies documented potential links between parental care and epigenetic mechanisms. The present systematic review focuses on the potential association and interrelationship between attachment-related dimensions and DNA methylation in human studies. We performed a literature review using electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost. Thirteen papers were included in the review. Findings support significant associations between attachment-related dimensions and epigenetic status in studies which considered different populations, age ranges, attachment measures and peripheral tissues. Although research in this area is still under investigation, available results suggest that DNA methylation associated with attachment-related dimensions might affect the development of stress regulation system and social-emotional capacities, thus contributing to the emerging phenotypic outcomes. However, identifying mediator and moderator effects in the interrelationship between these parameters was problematic owing to heterogeneous methodologies. Finally, we discuss clinical implications, unanswered questions, and future directions for human development in epigenetics research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Craig
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Flaviana Tenuta
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Veronica Rizzato
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Angela Costabile
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Antonio Trabacca
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Brindisi, Italy.
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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