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Antenatal mental representations about the child and mother–infant interaction at three months post partum

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Abstract

Objective

To study the predictive value of antenatal maternal mental representations about the child for mother–infant interaction at three months after birth.

Probands

A total of 73 pregnant women attending a routine ultrasound examination during the third trimester, who agreed to return with their baby for the interaction study.

Methods

Antenatally a questionnaire for assessing maternal representations about the child was given to the mothers. Also, depression and pregnancy risk were assessed. At three months, mother and infant were video-taped during a 4-phase interaction. Interaction analysis was performed using the Munich Communication Diagnostic Scale.

Results

Overall maternal regulatory ability was predicted by a compound factor comprising the antenatal representations. Maternal interactive behavior was not predicted by antenatal representations about the child. Infant overall eye contact was predicted by maternal representations as was interaction readiness during the still-face period. Significant covariates were maternal age, education, parity and the Pregnancy Optimality Score as well as neurologic optimality of the infant.

Conclusion

Antenatal maternal representations about the child predicted parental regulatory ability and infant interaction behavior especially during the still-face period.

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Notes

  1. Translation by the author. The original title is “Münchner Klinische Kommunikationsdiagnostik”

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank M. Papousek, Munich, for the permission to use the Munich Communication Diagnostic Scale and for training the raters. We also thank N. von Hofacker, Munich, for substantial advice during analysis. The study was financed in part by the Society for Medical Research, Salzburg, and by the Institute for Research and Education in Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Salzburg.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Research and Education in Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry (KNIFFF), Moosstr.122e, 5020, Salzburg, Austria

    Leonhard Thun-Hohenstein, Christa Wienerroither & Gunda Seim

  2. Department of Paediatrics, General Hospital, Salzburg, Austria

    Leonhard Thun-Hohenstein & Christa Wienerroither

  3. Department of Sociology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria

    Mynda Schreuer

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Hospital, Salzburg, Austria

    Heinrich Wienerroither

Authors
  1. Leonhard Thun-Hohenstein
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  2. Christa Wienerroither
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  3. Mynda Schreuer
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  4. Gunda Seim
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  5. Heinrich Wienerroither
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Correspondence to Leonhard Thun-Hohenstein.

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Thun-Hohenstein, L., Wienerroither, C., Schreuer, M. et al. Antenatal mental representations about the child and mother–infant interaction at three months post partum. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 17, 9–19 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-007-0622-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-007-0622-3

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