Are parenting interventions effective in improving the relationship between mothers and their preterm infants?

Tracey Evans; Koa Whittingham; Matthew Sanders; Paul Colditz; Roslyn N Boyd

doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2013.12.009

Are parenting interventions effective in improving the relationship between mothers and their preterm infants?

Infant Behav Dev. 2014 May;37(2):131-54. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2013.12.009. Epub 2014 Feb 11.

Authors

Tracey Evans¹, Koa Whittingham², Matthew Sanders³, Paul Colditz⁴, Roslyn N Boyd⁵

Affiliations

¹ Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, The School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia; School of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia; Perinatal Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, The School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia; School of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
³ Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, Australia.
⁴ Perinatal Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
⁵ Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, The School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.

PMID: 24530846
DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2013.12.009

Abstract

Aim: To systematically review the efficacy of parenting interventions in improving the quality of the relationship between mothers and preterm infants.

Method: Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (RCT) of parenting interventions for mothers of preterm infants where mother-infant relationship quality outcomes were reported. Databases searched: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science.

Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, 14 with strong methodological quality. Eight parenting interventions were found to improve the quality of the mother-preterm infant relationship.

Conclusions: Heterogeneity of the interventions calls for an integrated new parenting program focusing on cue-based, responsive care from the mother to her preterm infant to improve the quality of the relationship for these mother-preterm infant dyads.

Keywords: Attachment; Mother–infant relationship; Parenting intervention; Prematurity; Preterm infant.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Mother-Child Relations*
Mothers*
Parenting*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic