Abstract
Aim: To investigate differences in the quality of mother-child interaction between preterm- and term-born children at age 5, and to study the association of mother-child interaction with sociodemographic characteristics and child disability. Methods: Preterm children (n = 94), born at <30 weeks' gestation and/or birth weight <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. © 2011 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 597-603 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Acta Paediatrica |
Volume | 101 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2012 |
Keywords
- Child, Preschool
- Cohort Studies
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Developmental Disabilities/psychology
- Humans
- Infant, Newborn
- Infant, Premature
- Infant, Premature, Diseases/psychology
- Maternal Behavior
- Mother-Child Relations
- Socioeconomic Factors
- Term Birth