A randomized study of the impact of a sensitizing intervention on the child-rearing attitudes of parents of low birth weight preterm infants

Scand J Psychol. 2010 Oct;51(5):385-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2009.00805.x.

Abstract

The background for this study was that nurturant child-rearing attitudes are associated with positive development in low birth weight (LBW) infants. The objective was to study child-rearing attitudes and early intervention (EI) in parents of LBW infants from 12-36 months corrected age. LBW infants (BW< 2000 g) were randomized to an intervention (IG) or a control group (CG). The EI consisted of seven in-hospital sessions prior to discharge, then four home visits. A Child Rearing Practices Report was administered at 12 (mothers only), 24 and 36 months. A total of 146 infants were randomized. The mean BW in IG was 1396 (SD 429) g and 1381 (436) g in CG. The mean GA was 30.2 (3.1) weeks in IG and 29.9 (3.5) weeks in CG. Mothers in IG reported significantly more nurturant child-rearing attitudes at 12 and 24 months. There was a significant change in restrictive and nurturant attitudes over time. It was concluded that EI may lead to more nurturant child-rearing attitudes in mothers of preterms.

Keywords: Preterm; RCT; child-rearing; intervention; nurturance; restrictive.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child Rearing / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Early Intervention, Educational / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight / psychology*
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Parents / psychology*