1. Difference in mother-child interaction between preterm- and term-born preschoolers with and without disabilities
- Author
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Eva S Potharst, Carlo Schuengel, Bob F Last, Aleid G van Wassenaer, Joke H Kok, and Bregje A Houtzager
- Subjects
Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,business.industry ,Poison control ,General Medicine ,Suicide prevention ,Developmental psychology ,Mother child interaction ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Injury prevention ,Medicine ,Term Birth ,Early childhood ,business ,Socioeconomic status ,Cohort study - Abstract
1000 g, and term children (n = 84) were assessed at corrected age of 5 using a mother–child interaction observation. Disabilities were assessed using an intelligence test, behaviour questionnaires for parents and teachers, and motor and neurological examinations. Results: Mothers of preterm-born children were less supportive of and more interfering with their children’s autonomy than mothers of term-born children. This difference was only partly explained by sociodemographic factors. Dyads showed a lower quality of mother–child interaction if children had a severe disability, especially when mothers had a lower level of education. Conclusion: Five years after birth, mother–child interaction of very premature children and their mothers compared unfavourably with term children and their mothers. Mothers with sociodemographic disadvantages, raising a preterm child with severe disabilities, struggle most with giving adequate sensitive support for the autonomy development of their child. Focused specialized support for these at risk groups is warranted.
- Published
- 2012