MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Infant Mental Health Journal' source. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:56:56 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625624&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20313 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625624 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625624 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625623&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20339 AbstractSixty‐two preschoolers (55% boys) were presented hypothetical dilemmas about moral transgressions. Responses were evaluated in terms of children's emotional responsiveness, prosocial motives, and readiness to intervene. Mothers and fathers reported separately on their use of victim‐oriented inductions, teaching reparations, power assertion, and love withdrawal. Four years later, parents reported on children's behavioral problems, emotion‐regulation ability, and empathy. Mothers reported using more victim‐oriented inductions than did fathers, and girls responded with more personal distress and reported more rule‐oriented motives. Maternal love withdrawal was a positive predictor of empathy and motives of concern. For fathers, teaching reparations were positively related to... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625623 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625622&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20341 AbstractThe purpose of this study was to construct a screening tool, the Early Childhood Behavior Screen (ECBS), to identify behavior problems and prosocial behaviors in very young children (1–5 years old) from low‐income backgrounds. Field testing of the initial screening tool was conducted with a representative, diverse sample of 439 parents from a low‐income, urban community. The final 20‐item scale was written at a 3.9 grade reading level. Psychometric properties of the ECBS revealed that the items loaded on two factors, the Challenging Behavior factor and the Prosocial Behavior factor. Each factor demonstrated high levels of internal consistency (.87 and .92, respectively). The Challenging Behavior factor demonstrated adequate levels of concurrent validity (r = .75), sensitivi... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625622 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625621&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20342 Conclusiones: El enfoque intensivo en RF maternal es una importante directriz en el desarrollo del tratamiento eficaz para este tipo de población de muy alto riesgo.Contexte: Un programme de traitement résidentiel a été spécifiquement développé pour des femmes toxicomanes enceintes ou déjà mères en Finlande, mettant l'accent sur à la fois le soutien de l'abstinence maternelle de substances toxiques et la ralation mère‐bébé. Buts: Explorer le fonctionnement de réflexion pré et postnatal maternel et son lien avec des facteurs contextuels, l'exposition maternelle à un traumatisme et à des symptômes psychiatriques, l'interaction postnatale, le développement de l'enfant et le placement subséquent en famille d'accueil. Participants: Trente‐quatre pairs mère‐bébé viv... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625621 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625620&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20295 AbstractFew studies have evaluated the separate contributions of maltreatment and ongoing quality of parent–child interaction to the etiology of antisocial personality features using a prospective longitudinal design. One hundred twenty low‐income young adults (aged 18–23) were assessed for extent of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) features on the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis (M.B. First, R.L. Spitzer, M. Gibbon, & J.B.W. Williams, 1997) for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) Axis II, for presence of maltreatment on the Conflict Tactics Scale (M.A. Straus, S.L. Hamby, D. Finkelhor, D.W. Moore, & D. Runyan, 1998), Traumatic Experiences Scale (L. Dutra, J.F. Bureau, B. Holmes, ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625620 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625619&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20332 This study examines the development of maternal PSE in mothers of infants with high negative emotionality (NE). The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS; T. Brazelton, 1973) was administered twice to 111 infants to select a sample of irritable (n = 24) and nonirritable (n = 29) infants for a prospective study comparing the development of PSE in mothers of infants differing in neonatal NE. Consistent with our hypotheses and previous research, at 8 weeks' postpartum, mothers of irritable infants have significantly lower domain‐specific PSE than do mothers of nonirritable infants. Contrary to our predictions, mothers of irritable infants exhibit a significant increase in domain‐specific and domain‐general PSE from 8 to 16 weeks' postpartum. The implications of these results for in... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625619 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625618&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20335 We examined trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms in relation to toddler compliance and behavior problems in families with PT LBW infants. A total of 177 infants (93 boys, 84 girls) and their mothers enrolled in the study during the infant's NICU stay. Data were collected at five time points across 2 years. Assessments of maternal depressive symptoms were conducted at all time points, and toddler compliance and opposition to maternal requests and behavior problems were assessed at 2 years. Toddlers born earlier with more health problems to mothers whose depressive symptoms increased over time exhibited the most opposition to maternal requests during a cleanup task at 24 months, consistent with multiple risk models. Mothers with elevated depression symptoms reported more behavior pro... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625618 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625617&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20334 AbstractThe relationship that develops between early childhood service providers and parents is seen as a critical component in program implementation, although little is known about how service providers and parents view this relationship. The current qualitative study examines the helping relationship between doulas and 12 African American adolescent mothers who participated in a larger study of prenatal and postnatal support. Mothers and their doulas were interviewed separately at the beginning and the end of program participation about the quality of the helping relationship and how they spent their time together. Content analysis revealed positive, negative, and ambivalent themes in mothers' and doulas' descriptions of their relationships, although the majority of the relationships we... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625617 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625616&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20314 AbstractObserving infants in triadic situations has revealed their triangular competence; namely, their ability to interact with both parents by simultaneously sharing their attention and affects with them. Infants' triangular interaction is linked with the coparenting unit's degree of coordination; in high‐coordination (HC) families, parents act as a team in relation to the child, thus drawing clear and flexible boundaries with them; in low‐coordination (LC) families, parents either avoid direct interaction with each other and include the child in their unit or join together against the child and exclude him or her, thus drawing inconsistent boundaries with the child. We explored the interactive strategies of LC 9‐month‐olds (n = 15) with those of their parents, comparing them wit... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625616 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625615&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20333 AbstractAlthough it has been well‐documented that parents and children who experience homelessness often have compromised health and well‐being, few studies have examined the potential implications of homelessness on the process of parenting young children. In this review, we consider how parents of young children might function under the circumstances of homelessness. We begin with a brief overview of the psychological, social, and medical characteristics of homeless mothers and their young children. Using a developmental attachment perspective, we next briefly review the central tasks of parenting during the first 5 years of life, including emotion regulation and fostering of child autonomy, with an eye toward how homelessness may compromise a mother's ability to complete these tasks... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625615 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377507&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20319 AbstractThe author discusses the psychoanalyst's approach in mother–infant treatments. Emphasis is given to the infant as an important, though often neglected, addressee. A clinical example is used in which a telephone call during a prior session triggered fretting in a 3‐month‐old girl and distress in her mother. It is suggested that in the session, nonverbal levels of the interventions reached the girl and contained her, and that this containment worked along similar lines as the communicative musicality between mother and baby. In the discussion, the psychoanalytic concept of containment (Bion, 1962) is linked with the concept of communicative musicality (Trevarthen & Aitken, 2001). The mother's need for containment also is emphasized, and the therapist must be on alert when i... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377507 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5377507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377506&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20328 AbstractThis is a discussion of the article “Brief Interventions With Parents, Infants, and Young Children: A Framework for Thinking by Louise Emmanuel.” Questions of symptom formation, the difference between a defense and developmental phenomena, and different therapeutic techniques are explored from the perspective of The Baby as Subject (an infant–parent psychotherapy approach developed at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia). The relationship between feeding difficulties and the dynamics of the infant–parent attachment relationship are discussed with reference to whether the infant's apparent self‐sufficiency is interpersonally generated and whether bids for autonomy are a sign of healthy, age‐appropriate developmental drives at play. The use of representa... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377506 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5377506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377505&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20327 AbstractIn this article, I give an overview of the “Brief Intervention Model of work with Under Fives,'' focusing on ways in which observational skills, awareness of transference and countertransference phenomena, and addressing the underlying feelings thereby conveyed, can facilitate understanding and change. Two clinical vignettes illustrate the application of psychoanalytic thinking to work with the Under Fives Model and the fluctuating shifts of attention involved in trying to understand the meaning of what is being expressed. This includes the use of the clinicians' own emotional experience to work out “what the matter can be” (Emanuel & Bradley, 2008).En este artículo presento una visión general del “Modelo Breve de Intervención de trabajo con los de menos de cinco,”... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377505 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5377505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418992&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20331 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418992 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418991&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20330 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418991 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418990&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20329 AbstractAdoption is accompanied by well‐known risk factors that contribute to unique clinical challenges for children, parents, and clinicians. Adoption also serves to illustrate issues that remain relatively “silent” in the typical transition to parenthood. In this article, the authors review the normal developmental challenges that parents face during adoption, the adoption‐related risk factors that may impinge on the child's development and attachment process, and the impact of adoption on the child's development of identity and filiations. We will review and illustrate clinical conditions often associated with adoption. In many countries, adoptive parents are reluctant to consult mental health clinicians during the first year of the adoption. The cases presented here illustrate... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418990 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418989&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20328 AbstractThis is a discussion of the article “Brief Interventions With Parents, Infants, and Young Children: A Framework for Thinking by Louise Emmanuel.” Questions of symptom formation, the difference between a defense and developmental phenomena, and different therapeutic techniques are explored from the perspective of The Baby as Subject (an infant–parent psychotherapy approach developed at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia). The relationship between feeding difficulties and the dynamics of the infant–parent attachment relationship are discussed with reference to whether the infant's apparent self‐sufficiency is interpersonally generated and whether bids for autonomy are a sign of healthy, age‐appropriate developmental drives at play. The use of representa... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418989 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418988&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20326 AbstractIn this discussion, after a few general comments, I will propose a systems reading of the intervention so elegantly described by Kaija Puura. I will draw parallels between the therapeutic and the family groups as framing‐developing systems and formalize the steps taken by the family toward healing under the influence of the therapist's team.En esta discusión, después de algunos comentarios generales, propongo una lectura sistemática de la intervención tan elegantemente descrita por Kaija Puura. Buscaré paralelos entre los grupos terapéuticos y de familia como sistemas de desarrollo enmarcado y formalizaré los pasos tomados por la familia hacia la cicatrización bajo la influencia del equipo del terapista.Après quelques commentaires généraux, je proposerai dans cette dis... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418988 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418987&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20325 AbstractFrom the moment of conception, each and every child lives and develops in connection with other people. Most children grow up in families formed by parent(s) and siblings, and relationships with them form an important part of the environment in which they develop. Interaction with parents and siblings affects brain development and the intrapsychic structures of the child. In the last few decades, knowledge of both normal and abnormal development of the human brain and mind has increased, revealing the complicated interplay of neurophysiology, emotions, and behavior within an individual as well as in interaction with others. In an attempt to address the challenge of working with various existing frameworks, in the Child Psychiatric Department of Tampere University Hospital, Professo... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418987 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418986&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20323 AbstractIn this article, the authors describe the rationale for the way they work with troubled infant–parent relationships. They focus on two approaches developed at the Hincks‐Dellcrest Children's Mental Health Centre (Toronto, Canada), a publically funded agency where they work and teach. One approach is Watch, Wait and Wonder, and the other is Infant–Parent Psychotherapy. The authors share a common philosophy that directs the way they think about the way they work. Two clinical case studies are presented to illustrate the treatment process of each approach. The presenting symptoms in both cases are similar (sleep difficulties), but the meaning, ages, and family compositions are different. The interventions unlocked the difficulties that each relationship was experiencing in a bri... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418986 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418985&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20322 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418985 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418984&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20320 AbstractThinking about the psychoanalytical process in parent–infant psychotherapy is the purpose of Björn Salomonsson's article. He proposes to consider that containment is the core of the treatment and that musicality is his main vehicle. His thought is linked with the research on primary intersubjectivity and is so exciting for all the parent–infant therapists. For myself, I emphasize the use of the psychoanalytical concept of affects rather than emotions, and I present my understanding of the transference phenomena with the part of the infantile sexuality of all the participants. El propósito del ensayo de Bjorn Salomonsson es pensar acerca del proceso sicoanalítico en la sicoterapia progenitor‐infante. El propone considerar que la contención es el centro del tratamiento y qu... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418984 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418983&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20318 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418983 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418982&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20317 AbstractChild analysts and child therapists are now practicing in a new environment where an increased emphasis is made on identifying the symptoms and finding the shortest possible way to get rid of them, from the knowledge of brain functioning. From that perspective, the history of the symptom, of the child who owns it, and of the family in which this child is being raised are not emphasized as strongly. Searching for a specific meaning of such symptoms seems to be of no more interest. How can such a heavy trend be met? Major changes also have occurred within the psychoanalytic milieu. Advances from the observational world, from Spitz (1945) to Bowlby's (1987) attachment theory, provide essential knowledge to the field of early child–parent interactions. Longitudinal research in recent... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418982 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418981&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20315 This article describes the development of this special issue, and emphasizes the need for a methodology to gather and summarize clinical experience and meta‐analyze clinical cases. Este artículo describe el desarrollo de este número especial y enfatiza la necesidad de contar con una metodología para juntar y resumir la experiencia clínica y meta‐analizar los casos clínicos.Cet article décrit l'élaboration de ce numéro spécial et met l'accent sur le besoin d'une méthodologie permettant de recueillir et de résumer l'expérience clinique ainsi que de méta‐analyser les cas cliniques.Der Artikel beschreibt die Entwicklung dieser Sonderausgabe und betont den Bedarf an einer Methodologie zur Erhebung und Zusammenfassung klinischer Erfahrung und zur Meta‐Analyse klinischer Fäl... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418981 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418981 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377508&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20318 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377508 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5377508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5344460&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20321 AbstractA longitudinal case study of a 3‐year‐old toddler, born with a congenital, severe, life‐threatening skin disease, with comorbid diagnoses of failure to thrive and feeding disorder, is described and discussed. The referral, diagnostic, and therapeutic processes are described, and the main themes of the treatment sessions are presented in the associative order that they occurred. The understanding of the case is very much based on the “me‐skin'' concept. We have tried, through this case, to show the ways that we work with multidisciplinary team countertransferential reactions to the young child and her parents, the role that the child psychiatrist may take, and the special difficulty in working with cases that raise fear of death in parents as well as in therapists. We rais... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5344460 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5344460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377504&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20326 AbstractIn this discussion, after a few general comments, I will propose a systems reading of the intervention so elegantly described by Kaija Puura. I will draw parallels between the therapeutic and the family groups as framing‐developing systems and formalize the steps taken by the family toward healing under the influence of the therapist's team.En esta discusión, después de algunos comentarios generales, propongo una lectura sistemática de la intervención tan elegantemente descrita por Kaija Puura. Buscaré paralelos entre los grupos terapéuticos y de familia como sistemas de desarrollo enmarcado y formalizaré los pasos tomados por la familia hacia la cicatrización bajo la influencia del equipo del terapista.Après quelques commentaires généraux, je proposerai dans cette dis... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377504 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5377504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5344459&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20324 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5344459 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5344459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5332150&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20316 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5332150 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5332150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5068949&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20309 AbstractTreatment for retinoblastoma frequently involves removal of at least one eye in the first 5 years. Variation in age of treatment leads to the assumption that children's later verbal accessibility of early traumatic memories may vary, with some children having less opportunity to make sense of their condition. Video recordings were made of 17 children who had undergone enucleation either before 24 months (n = 8) or after 24 months (n = 9) involved in “hospital play'' using props designed to elicit talk about “eyes.” The hypothesis that a larger number of verbalizations about medical procedures would occur in children enucleated after 24 months than before 24 months was supported. Children enucleated after 24 months engaged in significantly more talk about enucleation and/or ex... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5068949 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5068949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5068948&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20312 AbstractIn healthy mother–infant dyads, interactions are characterized by a pattern of matching and mismatching interactive states with quick reparation of mismatches into matches. In contrast, dyads in which mothers have postpartum depression show impaired mother–infant interaction patterns over the first few months of the infant's life. The majority of studies that have examined such interaction patterns have drawn on community samples rather than on depressed inpatient samples of mothers who were in a state of current depression at the time of assessment. To date, no study has investigated specific microanalytic patterns of interactive coordination between depressed German mothers and their infants using the Face‐to‐Face Still‐Face paradigm (FFSF). The primary goal of this stu... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5068948 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5068948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5068947&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20310 AbstractAn estimated 8‐million children, mostly birth to approximately 6 to 8 years of age, live in institutions worldwide. While institutional environments vary, certain characteristics are common, including relatively large groups; high children:caregiver ratios; many and frequently changing caregivers; homogeneous grouping by age and disability status; periodic graduations to new groups of peers and caregivers; and an “institutional style of caregiving'' that minimizes talking, provides rather dispassionate perfunctory care, and offers little warm, sensitive, contingently responsive caregiver–child interactions. The development of children in residence is usually delayed, sometimes extremely so, in every physical and behavioral domain. Although efforts are being made in many count... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5068947 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5068947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5049146&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20311 AbstractUsing data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well‐Being, this study examines differences between kinship and foster placements for infants placed in out‐of‐home care prior to their first birthday. The differences examined include developmental status at time of placement, differences in the home and neighborhood environments, and the duration of time in placement. Participants included 457 infants placed in either kinship or foster care and their caregivers. Findings suggest that infants placed with kin had fewer developmental concerns 2 to 6 months after the initial Child Protective Services investigation and spent significantly less time in placement. The quality of foster and kinship homes and neighborhoods also differed: Foster homes were generally of bette... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5049146 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5049146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5035795&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20308 AbstractColic, or excessive infant crying, occurs during the first 3 months in approximately 15 to 20% of infants and is the most common concern for which parents seek medical advice during an infant's first year. Various physiological and environmental causes have been investigated. Some researchers have proposed multifactorial causes while others have argued that it is simply the extreme end of the normal crying continuum. As the etiology of colic is not clear, definitions of colic have relied on behavioral descriptions, and the relative merits of specific behaviors in affording an accurate definition are debated. This lack of clarity has compounded difficulties in identifying effective interventions for colic. One point of agreement is that colic is extremely distressing for parents. So... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5035795 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5035795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4951913&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20304 AbstractThis prospective study examined the relationship between maternal prenatal representations of the infant and later infant–mother attachment, including contextual factors related to concordance and discordance among dyads over time. Participants were 173 pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 40 who were interviewed during their last trimester of pregnancy and 2 and 13 months after birth. Maternal representations were assessed by the Working Model of the Child Interview during pregnancy (WMCI; C.H. Zeanah, D. Benoit, L. Hirshberg, M.L. Barton, & C. Regan, 1994), and infant–mother attachment was assessed through the Strange Situation procedure (M.D.S. Ainsworth, M. Blehar, E. Waters, & S. Wall, 1978) when infants were 13 months old. There was substantial discordance be... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4951913 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4951913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4933211&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20303 In this study, we reexamined posttreatment outcomes using these two related, but distinct, constructs.Anteriormente reportamos los resultados posteriores al tratamiento de un estudio piloto al azar que examinaba una nueva intervenciòn de crianza basada en la afectividad para madres matriculadas en un tratamiento por uso de sustancias y cuidado para niños de hasta tres años de edad (Suchman, DeCoste, Castiglioni, McMahon, Rounsaville y Mayes, de pròxima publicaciòn). El Programa Madres e Infantes (MTP) es una terapia de crianza individual con 12 sesiones semanales que busca mejorar la capacidad maternal para el funcionamiento de reflexiòn y suavizar las difìciles y distorsionadas representaciones mentales sobre la crianza. En un estudio piloto al azar, 47 madres que estaban matricula... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4933211 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4933211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4933210&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20307 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4933210 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4933210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4951912&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20306 This study investigated whether measures of infant temperament, regulatory disorders, and physiological reactivity and concurrent measures of family environment were predictors of child behavior problems at 54 months of age. The sample consisted of 23 children–mother dyads. The sample recruitment strategy emphasized testing both typical and fussy/difficult infants at 9 months of age. Children were categorized into low and high behavioral problem groups at 54 months of age. The children in the high behavioral problem group were more likely at 9 months to have been temperamentally difficult, to have been classified as regulatory disordered, and to have displayed respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) regulation difficulties. These children also were more likely to come from families described ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4951912 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4951912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4933209&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20305 AbstractDisorganized/controlling attachment in preschool has been found to be associated with maternal and child maladjustment, making it of keen interest in the study of psychopathology. Additional work is needed, however, to better understand disorganized/controlling attachment occurring as early as age 3 years. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate risk factors and outcomes associated with disorganized/controlling behavior at age 3 years and to evaluate the risk factors and outcomes differentiating the four subtypes of disorganized/controlling attachment. Analyses were conducted with the first two phases of the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, a prospective study of 1,364 children from birth. At 36 mont... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4933209 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4933209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704217&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20302 Conclusiones: Los efectos superiores de MIP se aplicaron especialmente al tipo de madre Participante y al tipo de bebé Afectado. Para las madres del grupo Abandonada y los infantes del grupo No Afectado, el CHCC pareció ser de igual valor.Un essai contrôlé randomisé (RCT) a été fait sur 75 dyades à Stockholm, en Suède, avec des bébés de moins d'un an et demi. Des mères ont été recrutées qui s'inquiétaient à propos des bébés, s'inquiétaient à propos d'elles‐mêmes en tant que mères, et/ou s'inquiétaient à propos de la relation mère‐bébé. L'essai contrôlé randomisé a comparé deux groupes de dyades de mère‐bébé. L'un de ces groupes n'a reçu que les soins du Centre de Santé de l'Enfant (groupe CHCC, suivant l'abréviation en anglais), alors que l'ature... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704217 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:56:55 +0100 4704217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704216&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20301 AbstractImproving depressed mothers' sensitivity is assumed to be a key element in preventing adverse outcomes for children of such mothers. This meta‐analysis examines the short‐term effectiveness of preventive interventions in terms of enhancing depressed mothers' sensitivity toward their child and investigates what type of intervention is most effective. Thirteen interventions, reported in 10 controlled outcome studies, met the inclusion criteria (N = 918). Meta‐analytic results showed a small to medium, significant mean effect size (g = 0.32) with large variation in individual effect sizes (−0.56–1.76). Interventions including baby massage were highly effective in improving maternal sensitivity (g = 0.85). In contrast, individual therapy for the mother proved ineffective in t... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704216 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:56:53 +0100 4704216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704215&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20300 AbstractThis prospective study examined the variability within clinical characteristics of antenatal maternal depression and cortisol levels for associations with newborn infant behavior using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS; T.B. Brazelton, 1984). Participants were 81 pregnant women at risk for perinatal depression given their histories of depression prior to pregnancy. We took into consideration not only whether the woman experienced antenatal depression but also whether the depression met diagnostic criteria and variability in timing (onset and occurrence) of antenatal depression and symptom severity. Infants of mothers who became depressed during pregnancy scored less optimally on a subset of the NBAS scales, specifically those scales related to infant neuroregulation. A... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704215 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:56:50 +0100 4704215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704214&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20299 AbstractPsychotherapeutic treatments that focus on improving the relational processes between mothers with postpartum depression (PPD) and their infants, as well as the mother's individual therapeutic needs, have a great potential to positively impact the mother, her infant, and their relationship (K.J. Nylen, T.E. Moran, C.L. Franklin, & M. O'Hara, 2006). Utilizing pilot data from an evaluation of a home‐based dyadic therapy for mothers with PPD and their infants, this article reports on a recent academic–community partnership study. The effectiveness of the intervention was examined, specifically regarding changes in mother's mood, parenting experience, and relationship with her infant. In addition, associations were examined among maternal self‐report variables measuring chang... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704214 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:56:48 +0100 4704214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704213&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20298 AbstractThirty‐three families, each with a premature infant born less than 33 gestational weeks, were observed in a longitudinal exploratory study. Infants were recruited in a neonatal intensive care unit, and follow‐up visits took place at 4 months and 12 months of corrected age. The severity of the perinatal problems was evaluated using the Perinatal Risk Inventory (PERI; A.P. Scheiner & M.E. Sexton, 1991). At 4 months, mother–infant play interaction was observed and coded according to the CARE‐index (P.M. Crittenden, 2003); at 12 months, the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP; M.D.S. Ainsworth, M.C. Blehar, E. Waters, & S. Wall, 1978) was administered. Results indicate a strong correlation between the severity of perinatal problems and the quality of attachment at 12 month... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704213 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:56:45 +0100 4704213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704212&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20297 This study aims to enhance our understanding and conceptualization of infant–father attachment by examining the role of fathers' unresolved states of mind and the display of atypical paternal behavior in the development of disorganized infant–father attachment. Thirty‐one middle‐class couples participated in this study. Maternal and paternal Adult Attachment Interviews (C. George, N. Kaplan, & M. Main, 1996) were completed prenatally and at infant age 6 months, respectively. Infant–mother and infant–father dyads participated in the Strange Situation paradigm (M. Ainsworth, M. Blehar, E. Waters, & S. Wall, 1978) when the infants were 12 and 18 months of age, respectively. The Atypical Maternal Behavior Instrument for Assessment and Classification (E. Bronfman, E. Parsons... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704212 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:56:42 +0100 4704212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704211&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20296 AbstractThe current study examined the individual and joint effects of self‐reported adult attachment style, psychological distress, and parenting stress on maternal caregiving behaviors at 6 and 12 months of child age. We proposed a diathesis‐stress model to examine the potential deleterious effects of stress for mothers with insecure adult attachment styles. Data from 137 mothers were gathered by the longitudinal Durham Child Health and Development Study. Mothers provided self‐reports using C. Hazan and P. Shaver's (1987) Adult Attachment Style measure, the Brief Symptom Inventory (L.R. Derogatis & P.M. Spencer, 1982), and the Parent Stress Inventory (R.R. Abidin, 1995); observations of parenting data were made from 10‐min free‐play interactions. Consistently avoidant mothe... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704211 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:56:37 +0100 4704211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4559807&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20294 AbstractThe Infant Mental Health system in Malaysia is described, beginning with cultural and religious practices that influence mental health practices. Second, a description of the Malaysian mental health system, including historical influences, is given. Third, policy and services for young children with mental health problems are described. Finally, recommendations for future steps for developing an effective infant mental health system are presented, including the development of infant mental health policies by the government, increased personnel training, increased community mental health resources, integration of culture into the mental health system, and finally, development of appropriate screening and assessment instruments and systems.Se describe el sistema de salud mental infan... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4559807 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4559807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4559806&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20293 This study examined the association between foster parents' commitment to their young foster children and the delight they showed in their interactions with children. Seventy foster parent–child dyads were included as participants. The dyads were videotaped during a play interaction when children were between 9 and 28 months, with delight coded on the basis of foster parents' responses to children. Caregivers were interviewed with the “This Is My Baby” Interview (B. Bates & M. Dozier, 1998), with commitment coded as the extent to which parents expressed interest in enduring relationships with their foster children and the extent to which they thought of them as their own. Regression analyses revealed that commitment was a significant predictor of foster parent delight. Foster par... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4559806 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4559806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4559805&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20292 This study provides descriptive empirical information on the environments, organizational structure, caregivers, caregiver–child interactions, and children's general behavioral development and problem behaviors from three institutions for young children in Central America. While the institutions were clean, they were physically sparse and had Infant–Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS; T. Harms, D. Cryer, & R. Clifford, 2006) and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS; T. Harms, R. Clifford, & D. Cryer, 2005) scores that averaged 1.62 (7 = highest). Caregivers provided routine caregiving with limited emotion, responsiveness, support, empathy, or guidance. Caregivers tended to work long hours and then were off 2 to 3 days, and children periodically graduated to ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4559805 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4559805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4559804&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20291 AbstractMother–infant relationship disturbances occur in three domains: maternal distress, infant functional problems, and relationship difficulties. They constitute common clinical problems. In Sweden, they are usually handled by nurses as part of public Child Health Centre care. Severe cases are referred to child psychiatry services. This randomized controlled trial compared two groups of mother–infant dyads in a Stockholm sample. One received only Child Health Centre care (the “CHCC” group) while the other received mother–infant psychoanalytic treatment plus CHCC (the “MIP” group). Eighty dyads of mothers and infants under 1½ years of age where the mothers had serious concerns about themselves in their role as mothers, their infants' well‐being, or the mother–baby rel... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4559804 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4559804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4559803&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20274 AbstractAssociations of maternal self‐report anxiety‐related symptoms with mother–infant 4‐month face‐to‐face play were investigated in 119 pairs. Attention, affect, spatial orientation, and touch were coded from split‐screen videotape on a 1‐s time base. Self‐ and interactive contingency were assessed by time‐series methods. Because anxiety symptoms signal emotional dysregulation, we expected to find atypical patterns of mother–infant interactive contingencies, and of degree of stability/lability within an individual's own rhythms of behavior (self‐contingencies). Consistent with our optimum midrange model, maternal anxiety‐related symptoms biased the interaction toward interactive contingencies that were both heightened (vigilant) in some modalities and lowered ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4559803 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4559803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4559802&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20290 This article emphasizes the significance of reflective supervision for parent–infant work and suggests that it needs to be an integral part of the system of service delivery. I am grateful to the infant mental health workers who allowed me to use examples of their work in this article, and thank Dr Jon Jureidini for his encouragement and support.El trabajo entre progenitor e infante se basa inherentemente en la relación y ocurre en el espacio intersubjetivo entre el progenitor, el infante y el trabajador. Dicho espacio puede estar cargado de necesidades primitivas no satisfechas, tanto del progenitor como del infante, y esto a la vez puede provocar estas mismas condiciones en el trabajador. El reto para los trabajadores es permanecer dispuesto a ser afectado por y sensible a estos estad... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4559802 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4559802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4559801&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20289 This article details the initial launch of the MH consultation program to childcare centers in the state of Louisiana. Analyses support the assertions that (a) a model of MH consultation can be implemented successfully at a statewide level, (b) MH consultation is associated with an increase in teacher self‐efficacy, and (c) teachers' report that the MH consultation increased their competence in specific areas related to children's socioemotional development. Analyses indicate that there is a differential impact on teachers based on their age and level of experience. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.Los especialistas de la salud mental en la temprana niñez trabajan junto con los maestros en los centros de cuidado infantil sirviendo así como un recurso para quien... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4559801 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4559801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342772&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20287 This study compared imitative behaviors to contingent, but not‐imitative, behaviors in children with ASD and those with typical development (TD). The caretakers were asked to play an imitative role to explore the effects of imitation intervention on parenting. The results indicated that children with ASD gazed longer at imitative behaviors than mere contingent behaviors while children with TD gazed at their mother irrespective of her type of intervention. The present study highlights the benefits of caretakers using imitation while caring for children with ASD. The power of imitation for children with ASD suggests its therapeutic application to home‐based intervention by caretakers.Es probable que la imitación adulta de los niños con trastornos del espectro del autismo (ASD) sea efec... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342772 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342771&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20286 AbstractPreverbal children are capable of explicitly communicating their own desires, emotions, and thoughts through infant signs (i.e., symbolic gestures) that they have invented or learned from caregivers. In this article, I describe seven lines of child development research and show how attending to infants' use of signs can complement and extend this knowledge of development for both scientists and caregivers. The areas of developmental research include object permanence, categorization, shared meaning, mental state understanding and absent reference, emotion knowledge, identity, and self‐regulation. I present qualitative data on infants' signing gathered through videos of caregiver–child interaction, student caregivers' systematic participant observations, my own observations in a... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342771 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342770&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20285 AbstractThe external world is represented intrapsychically in a specific way. Following the age of an infant, for example, the structure, quality, and the degree of symbolization will be different. The term representation in science is filled with different contents. In psychoanalysis, we see a development from Sigmund Freud's “(Sach‐ or Wort‐)Vorstellungen” to internal objects, then to self–object representations and finally—following newer results of the concept of intersubjectivity and especially under the influence of infant mental‐ and interactional research—to self–object interaction representations. Some aspects of this development are presented more in detail. Knowing that on one hand, interaction in external reality is structured by the self–object interaction ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342770 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342769&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20284 This study examines zero‐order and unique associations of multiple maternal and infant behavior and context indicators to variation in aspects of EA in mothers and their young infants. The associations to each were explored in separate analyses for maternal sensitivity and infant responsiveness in 369 European American mothers and their firstborn 5½‐month‐olds. Beyond zero‐order relations, robust regression analyses revealed differentiated patterns of unique relations of mother and infant behavior and context indicators to the EA dimensions of maternal sensitivity and infant responsiveness. Although potential behavior and context relations to EA are many, prominent relations to maternal sensitivity and infant responsiveness are few, and patterns of association vary for the two dim... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342769 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342768&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20283 AbstractWe discuss the neural and neurobiological underpinnings of the core features of borderline personality disorder (BPD), including emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, disturbed interpersonal functioning, identity diffusion, and feelings of inner pain. We review neurobiological research that supports a developmental, biobehavioral switch‐model of the relationship between mentalization, stress, and attachment. Although it is likely that there are different developmental pathways to BPD, involving complex interactions between environmental, biological, and psychosocial factors, the final common outcome of these pathways is a low threshold for the activation of the attachment system and for deactivation of controlled mentalization, coupled with impairments in the ability to differentia... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342768 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342767&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20282 AbstractResilience research has demonstrated convincingly that the strengths of resilient children growing up adaptively in the midst of adversity can be traced back to salient attributes of the parent‐‐infant system. Drawing on various strands of developmental infancy research, the present essay focuses on strengths in infants' intrinsic regulatory capacities, in the parents' intuitive communicative competence, and in parent‐‐infant communication as a biologically based, reciprocal reward system. Adaptive and protective roles of the system are discussed in relation to normal developmental perturbations and individual variation on both sides of the system and, based on results from the Munich Interdisciplinary Research and Intervention Program for Fussy Babies, in relation to early... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342767 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342766&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20281 Abstract“Akachan ni Kanpai! Celebrating the Baby: Baby, Family, Culture” was the theme of the 11th World Congress of the World Association for Infant Mental Health (August 2008). It denotes every baby's right to be blessed from the beginning of life, whether the baby is healthy, ill, disabled, or born into unwelcoming social contexts. Across the world, modern families of the 21st century face increasingly stressful lives. Japan, with a rapid postwar social change, has yielded increasing cases of postnatal depression and abuse, alerting her to reevaluate amae, a cultural affinity for interdependency. Amae, as studied by Takeo Doi, originates in the mother‐‐infant relationship and is carried through into adulthood characterizing Japanese mentality. The Japanese values for things simp... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342766 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342765&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20280 AbstractThemes of the Congress carried forward the pioneering contributions of Rene Spitz and Takeo Doi. Contributions to infant mental health included those dealing with: (a) relatedness, (b) positive rewards of infancy, (c) disruptions of relatedness and rewards, (d) assessments, and (e) interventions. Contributions from infant mental health and bridging to the future included those regarding: (a) prevention, (b) policy, and (c) advances for science and practice. Knowledge from infant mental health is seen to fill a gap in our current moral discourse. Biologically based, universal moral processes of reciprocity and empathy develop in infancy, with regulation from parenting. Parenting, suffering under conditions of deprivation and adversity, can benefit from interventions designed to prom... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342765 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342764&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20279 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342764 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4342763&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20288 (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4342763 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4342763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133102&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20278 AbstractTo date, research about feeding disorder (FD) has focused almost exclusively on the mother–child dyad, ignoring fathers' roles. The current study investigated father–child interactions with children having FD. The sample consisted of 67 children (1–3 years old) and their mothers and fathers. Thirty‐four children, diagnosed with a nonorganic‐based FD (FD group) and 33 children without an FD (control group) were matched for age, gender, birth order, and maternal education. Data were collected during home visits. Mothers were interviewed about their and the father's involvement in childcare. In addition, mother–child and father–child interactions were videotaped during play and feeding. Both mothers and fathers from the FD group experienced less positive parent–child i... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133102 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4133102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133101&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20277 This study investigates the outcome of an intervention program to establish oral feeding after prolonged tube feeding in children. The intervention is based on supervised reduction of enteral formula within a few days supported by a 3‐week program of speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychoanalytically based eating therapy, physical therapy, psychodynamic coaching, and nutritional counseling of the infant and his or her parents. Two hundred twenty‐one cases were included in this study. All patients had been severely ill or were handicapped and had been exclusively fed by tube for most of their lives. The major outcome variable was complete discontinuation of tube feeding with sufficient oral feeding after treatment, defined as the child's ability to sustain stable body weight by se... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133101 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4133101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133100&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20276 AbstractAmong the many decisions that parents make regarding child‐rearing practices, an important one involves sleep arrangements. Little is known about the relationship between chosen sleep arrangements, parents' adaptation to these choices, parental sleep quality, spousal support, and parental distress. Forty‐five mothers and fathers with infants 1 to 24 months old completed measures of parental attitudes and practices regarding sleep arrangements. Shared sleep with one's infant was associated with poorer parental adaptation to infant sleep disruption, and this was true even when parents endorsed the practice of sharing sleep with their infants. Among mothers, shared sleep and poorer adaptation to infant sleep were significantly associated with elevated depressive symptoms, poorer s... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133100 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4133100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133099&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20275 AbstractSleep patterns of 26 seven‐week‐old boys at familial risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 18 control infants were compared by objective (actigraph) and subjective (maternal sleep diary) measures, over five consecutive 24‐hr periods. Actigraph findings indicated that the groups differed on stability (SD) of quiet sleep only during the day. Reports in maternal sleep diaries indicated that they also differed on stability of waking and stability of sleep duration, again only during the day. No group differences were found in terms of average scores, whether calculated for the entire 24‐hr periods, for nights, or for days. Mothers in the risk group reported that fathers were less involved in infant care than did those in the control group. These findings ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133099 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4133099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133098&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20273 This study was designed to examine the utility of the Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (ITSEA), a parent‐report questionnaire covering a wide range of behavior and emotional problems and competencies, in preschoolers referred for child psychiatric evaluation. The fathers and mothers of 85 children (23.2% girls; age 15–57 months) with autism spectrum, externalizing, or internalizing disorders completed the ITSEA, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/2–3 and 4–18 versions), and the child domain of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). The ITSEA showed good interrater reliability between parents, and validity was supported by significant correlations with corresponding CBCl and PSI domains. Evidence supporting the validity of the ITSEA for psychopathology was mixed across scales, ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133098 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4133098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946250&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20265 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946250 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3946250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946249&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20272 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946249 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3946249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946248&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20271 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946248 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3946248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946247&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20270 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946247 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3946247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946246&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20269 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946246 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3946246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946245&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20268 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946245 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3946245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946244&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20267 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946244 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3946244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3736883&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20266 The present study examined the detection of early developmental delays of high-risk infants by first-time mothers in a community sample of families (N = 451). About half of the mothers were adolescents at time of childbirth, and two thirds reported household incomes below $20,000 annually. Children were assessed at 12 and 24 months of age on standardized measures of cognitive, language, adaptive, and socioemotional development. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL101-476) guidelines, about 1 in 4 children was eligible for intervention services at 12 months, and about 1 in 3 children was eligible at 24 months. Despite receiving regular medical services, mothers reported that very few eligible children (2% at 12 months and 9% at 24 months) were identified by medic... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3736883 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3736883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3736882&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20264 This study investigated the association between a mother's history of childhood maltreatment (CM) and her subsequent prenatal maternal representation during the third trimester of pregnancy. Controlling for domestic violence (DV), distorted prenatal representations were associated with higher rates of self-reported childhood physical neglect. In addition, DV moderated the relationship between representations and CM, such that women who were exposed to DV during pregnancy and had distorted prenatal representations were least likely to report childhood physical and sexual abuse. Implications are discussed in relation to infant mental health interventions which rely on a parent's ability to psychologically access and reflect on childhood histories to more sensitively parent her own child. (So... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3736882 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3736882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3736881&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20263 Mother-report questionnaires of infant socioemotional functioning are increasingly used to screen for clinical referral to infant mental health services. The validity of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional (ASQ:SE; J. Squires, D. Bricker, K. Heo, & E. Twombly, 2002) was investigated in a sample of help-seeking mothers with young infants. It was compared with independent observer-rated dyadic interactions, and the quality of dyadic relationships was rated by expert clinicians. The ASQ:SE ratings also were compared with questionnaires on maternal psychological stress and distress. The ASQ:SE did not correlate significantly with either external ratings of dyadic interaction or clinically assessed relationship qualities, though the latter two were strongly associated with each ot... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3736881 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3736881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3736880&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20262 The goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between mothers' spontaneous facial expressions of pain and fear immediately preceding their infants' immunizations and infants' facial expressions of pain immediately following immunizations. Infants' observations of mothers' faces prior to immunization also were examined to explore whether these observations moderated the effect of mothers' facial expressions on infant pain. The final sample included 58 mothers and their infants. Video data were used to code maternal facial expressions, infants' observations, and infants' expressions of pain. Infants who observed their mothers' faces had mothers who expressed significantly more fear pre-needle. Furthermore, mothers' facial expressions of mild fear pre-needle were associated wi... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3736880 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3736880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3843967&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20264 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3843967 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3843967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3843966&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20263 Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3843966 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3843966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3736879&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20261 The main aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and development of the motherhood constellation in pregnant women. The participants of the study were 162 pregnant women who were divided into three subgroups according to their gestation period (7 months). The women were assessed using the Breakfast Interview, a microanalytic method devised by D.N. Stern (1995, 2004a). Two judges coded the transcripts of the interviews for the presence of the motherhood constellation themes using three-level rating scales. Results showed that the Life/Growth theme was the most frequent theme during pregnancy, and supported the hypothesis of a "peak" of the motherhood constellation themes around Month 6 to Month 7. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3736879 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3736879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533633&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20260 The relation between early mother-infant skin-to-skin contact (SSC) and mothers' subsequent sensitivity to their low birth weight infants was investigated in a study of 12 mother-infant dyads who participated in a South African randomized control study of early SSC. The dyads were visited in the home when infants were under 1 year. Amounts of SSC were taken from hospital records and home interviews. Videotapes of mother-infant interactions in the home were scored for maternal sensitivity on the Maternal Behavior Q-Sort (D.R. Pederson, G. Moran, & S. Bento, 1999) and the Maternal Behavior subscale of the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (G. Sumner & A. Spietz, 1994). Amount of SSC in infants' first 24 hr correlated with amount of SSC through the first month. Amount of SSC in infants'... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533633 Mon, 03 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3533633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533632&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20259 This study assessed the preliminary psychometric properties of the ECSA by comparing it with extant validated measures of young children's emotional and behavioral development, comparing it with a diagnostic interview, and measuring test-retest reliability. In the study, 309 mothers in two primary care clinics completed the ECSA and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; T. Achenbach & L. Rescorla, 2000). A subset (n = 69) also completed the Diagnostic Interview for the Preschool Age (DIPA; M. Scheeringa & N. Haslett, 2010). ECSA score correlated significantly and strongly with the CBCL Total Problem T score (Spearman's rho = 0.86, p [les] .01). The ECSA was 86% sensitive and 83% specific in identifying DIPA diagnoses. Internal consistency of the ECSA was 0.91. Test-retest reliability at 10 d... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533632 Mon, 03 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3533632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533631&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20258 In an experiment of nature, a normal cohort of parents who were raised under communal sleeping arrangements (CSA) in Israeli kibbutzim are raising their infants at home under home-based family sleeping arrangements. The present study focused on exploring the links between the early sleep experiences of CSA parents and their present sleep-related beliefs and behaviors. In particular, the study assessed whether the cognitions of CSA parents regarding infant sleep differ from cognitions of parents who were raised under home-based family sleeping arrangements. Furthermore, parental soothing methods and infant sleep patterns were compared. One hundred forty-one families participated in this study. The children's ages ranged between 4.5 to 30 months. Parental cognitions were evaluated by two que... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533631 Mon, 03 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3533631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533630&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20257 The objective of the current study was to examine the effects of a brief Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (the MISC-SP) designed to enhance the quality of mothers' interaction with their toddlers who have sensory processing disorders (SPD). The basic assumption was that quality parent-child interactions can serve as a protective factor moderating the potential negative effects of toddlers' sensory processing and regulation difficulties on their development. The effects of the intervention were compared to those of another intervention designed to enhance children's sensory functioning (the SI group) and to a control group receiving no intervention. Participants were 86 toddlers (12-18 months old) with SPD and their mothers, who were randomly assigned to the aforementione... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533630 Mon, 03 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3533630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533629&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20256 Research among indigenous women in Australia has shown that a number of lifestyle factors are associated with poor obstetric outcomes; however, little evidence appears in the literature about the role of social stressors and mental health among indigenous women. The not-for-profit organization beyondblue established a "Depression Initiative" in Australia. As part of this they provided funding to the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service in the "Mums and Babies" clinic. The aim of this was to establish a project to (a) describe the mental health and level of social stressors among antenatal indigenous women and (b) assess the impact of social stressors and mental health on perinatal outcome. A purposive sample of 92 indigenous women was carried out. Culturally appr... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533629 Mon, 03 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3533629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533627&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20255 This article describes the evolution and workings of a program for integrating infant mental health practice into a long-term residential treatment community for pregnant and parenting women with addiction. The principles and structure of the modified therapeutic community are described, as are the ways in which infant mental health practice have been effectively integrated and incorporated into the addiction treatment philosophy. A case example is provided, and clinical implications are discussed. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533627 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3533627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338051&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20254 Infants ages 0 to 1 year consecutively referred for psychiatric treatment during the year 2005 were followed, and variables associated with diagnosis and short-term outcome were assessed. Infants were evaluated using the Psychiatric Infant Navigator Chart and Evaluation that includes nosological diagnoses [Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood, (DC 0-3), Zero to Three, 1994] as well as risk and protective factors, treatment procedure, and outcomes. Seventy-six percent of the infants had an Axis I diagnosis, with anxiety disorders and a mixed disorder of emotional expressiveness being the most frequent. Twenty-five percent had an Axis II diagnosis. Multiple correspondence analyses showed that two dimensions corresponding grossl... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338051 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3338051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338050&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20253 Using a longitudinal design, this study examined the relationship of a mother's prenatal representation of her child and her parenting behavior with that child at 1 year of age in a sample of women who were either exposed or not exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) (N = 164; M child age = 1.1 years, SD = .11 years; 52% male). Controlling for prenatal IPV, a MANCOVA analysis revealed that prenatal representational typology was significantly related to parenting behavior 1 year postpartum. Mothers whose representations were affectively deactivated (disengaged) were more behaviorally controlling with their children. Mothers whose representations were affectively overactivated (distorted) were more hostile with their children. Mothers with balanced representations demonstrated more posit... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338050 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3338050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338049&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20252 This article reports the construction and pilot reliability, validity, and psychometric properties of a new caregiver-child rating scale that emphasizes caregiver-child socioemotional interactions and relationships. While the scale was developed and studied in orphanages for young children, it potentially could be used in nonresidential early care and education settings as well as for parent-child interactions in the home. The intent was to assess a few dimensions that comprehensively cover the range of caregiver-child socioemotional interactions and relationships, by means of a scale that could be administered in a relatively short time period in a variety of situations and would not require extensive coder training, manuals, or materials. Results showed that the scale can be reliably adm... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338049 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3338049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338048&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20251 This article presents the process utilized to adapt a behavioral parent-training curriculum for Hispanic caregivers from a program currently available in English. Throughout this process, a number of cultural and language elements were identified as needing to be modified to meet the needs of the Hispanic population served. Fidelity and fit were balanced to develop a curriculum acceptable to diverse Hispanic caregivers while also incorporating all the essential elements of a theory-based approach to training caregivers. The lessons learned from this adaptation may assist others in their attempts to meet the needs of Hispanic families. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338048 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3338048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338047&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20250 The objective of this study was to examine various aspects of PTP in young children exposed to terror events and their relation to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individual play sessions, conducted with 29 young Israeli children directly exposed to terrorism (M age = 5.47, SD = 1.34) and 25 matched unexposed children (M age = 5.62, SD = 0.87), were coded using the Children's Play Therapy Instrument-Adaptation for Terror Research (CPTI-ATR; S.E. Chazan & E. Cohen, 2003). Analyses using these ratings showed (a) significant differences between the two groups, (b) significant associations with the caregiver's reports on child's exposure, and (c) significant associations with the caregiver's reports on the child's PTSD symptoms. Play activity ratings of predominant negative affects, freq... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338047 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3338047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338046&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20249 Patterns of interaction between parents and 7-month-old boys at familial risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a comparison group were studied during a warm-up and two play episodes. The sample included 78 (47 at-risk, 31 comparison) mother-child and 45 (27 at-risk, 18 comparison) father-child dyads. A coding system developed by G. Kochanska (1997, 1998) was used. Infants in the risk group did not differ from the comparison group in the rate of emission of infant-related events. However, they received less adequate responsivity from both their fathers and their mothers to these events, and specifically to negative emotions or distress, than did the comparison group. Maternal psychopathology did not account for these findings. Mothers were more adequately responsive t... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338046 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3338046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338045&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20248 Dyadic interactions between 84 at-risk toddlers and their nondrug-, polydrug-non-cocaine-, or polydrug-cocaine-using mothers were examined during unstructured play. Coded videotaped behaviors revealed two maternal constructs (interactive competence, maladaptive engagement) and three toddler constructs (responsiveness, active positive initiation, play). Cocaine-using mothers displayed more maladaptive engagement than did prenatal nondrug users; however, poorer interactive competence further distinguished them from polydrug-but-noncocaine users. Toddlers of cocaine-using mothers displayed less responsiveness and positive initiation than non-drug-group peers; however, these behaviors did not reliably differ from polydrug-non-cocaine counterparts. Play interest remained relatively similar acro... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338045 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3338045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171583&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20247 No Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171583 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171582&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20246 No Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171582 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171581&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20245 No Abstract (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171581 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171580&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20244 This article compares an expanded descriptive measure of maternal mind-mindedness to the original measure. We included assessments of the valence and richness of descriptions given by 106 mothers when asked to talk about their 18-month-old child (55 boys), in addition to assessing the proportion of mind-related descriptors. Contrary to previous findings, the proportion of mental descriptors was not associated with maternal sensitivity. However, the expanded measure revealed a significant positive link between positive mind-mindedness and maternal sensitivity, and between richness of the description and maternal sensitivity. We then investigated predictors of positive maternal mind-mindedness. Maternal state of mind regarding past attachment experiences, psychological adjustment, and percep... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171580 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171579&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20243 When a pregnant woman develops cancer, death and life are competing in her body and in her mind. In this article, two cases of pregnant cancer patients are described. The pregnant women were accompanied through their journey toward delivery and during the first months with their newborn. The process of being in intensive cancer treatment during pregnancy, of giving birth, and of building an early relationship with the infant is explored. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171579 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171578&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20242 Parents experiencing early parenting difficulties often seek support through parenting programs. Characteristics of mothers seeking parenting support and information at an early parenting center in Victoria, Australia and the relationships between these factors and parenting behavior were explored using an observational measure of parent-child interaction. Participants were 43 mothers and children attending a 5-day residential parenting program at the Queen Elizabeth Centre. Maternal and sociodemographic data as well as an observational mother-child interaction task from the Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training Parent Child Interaction Teaching scale were completed and scored on the first day of the program. Certain maternal factors and experiences were associated with observed pare... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171578 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171577&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20241 Responses to five doll-story stems thematically related to attachment experiences with the mother were videotaped in the home and used to evaluate child, maternal, and environmental predictors of representational aggression in 93 preschool children of African American women receiving public assistance who had become pregnant as teenagers. Significant correlations were found between representational aggression and child's gender (male), birth weight, maternal depressive affect, maternal educational attainment, recent employment, mother's historical residence with her own mother, and felt social support, accounting for 40% of the variance in representational aggression. A significant Felt Social Support × Gender interaction effect suggested that girls of mothers who perceive higher levels o... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171577 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171576&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20240 The goal of this study was to explore the effects of reflective and traditional supervision and training on caregiver insightfulness. Caregiver insightfulness, or caregiver ability to understand "motives underlying the child's behavior in a complete, open, and accepting way" (D. Oppenheim, D. Goldsmith, & N. Koren-Karie, 2004, p. 352) was assessed at two time points with 21 new caregivers at two university-based childcare sites. Trends suggest that caregiver insightfulness was relatively stable while increased levels of components of caregiver insightfulness over a period of approximately 2.5 months were positively associated with reflective supervision and training. These findings suggest that encouraging caregivers to reflect on their interactions with the children in their care fosters ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171576 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171575&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20239 Emotional availability (EA) was investigated among low-income mothers enrolled in substance-abuse treatment and their young infants (n = 21) compared with a demographically matched group of mother-infant pairs who, by self-report, were not at risk for substance abuse (n = 27). The mother-infant dyads in the treatment group generally demonstrated poorer EA functioning than those in the comparison group, but few differences between the groups on individual dimensions of EA were significant. This finding was notable considering that mothers in treatment reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and psychological stress. Treatment effects may have buffered the negative impact of depression and psychological stress on mothers' EA scores. The clinical implications of the findin... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171575 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958630&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20236 Traumatized infants, toddlers, and young children can affect adults in different ways but most often pull extreme reactions ranging from empathy to anger. It is important for those who support, intervene, and provide therapeutic services for traumatized young children and their families to understand that various traumatization, compassion, fatigue, and burnout can be an integral part of the work. All interveners, including child welfare workers, clinicians, home visitors, teachers, and even nontraditional responders, such as those who supervise therapeutic visitation, must find their own ways to cope with the overwhelming feelings that may be aroused. Support or regularly scheduled reflective supervision as well as self-care is crucial for those who work with trauma. This paper describes ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958630 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958629&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20235 Reflective supervision (RS) has not been a tradition in most early child development settings. The infant mental health consultant, in successfully implementing RS, helps to articulate and affirm some basic values necessary for a community of reflective practice. These emphasize (a) participating in an environment of continuous learning and improvement and (b) engaging in an ongoing commitment to professionalism. Sets of dimensions of RS, therefore, include sharing and learning, emotional support and dealing with vulnerability, and systems sensitivity. Issues for RS training involve using yourself as a tool and learning about the science of being with others. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958629 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958628&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20234 This article discusses those challenges in summarizing the development of a comprehensive set of competency guidelines and an accessible, effective procedure for professional endorsement in the infant and family field (D. Weatherston, B.D. Moss, & D. Harris, 2006). Criteria for endorsement encourage professionals from many disciplines to integrate new knowledge about infancy and early childhood mental health with strategies that are culturally sensitive and skillful. Emphasis on reflective supervision or consultation encourages a framework for best practice promoting professional growth (L. Eggbeer, T.L. Mann, & N. Seibel, 2007; J. Pawl, 1995). The authors report individual outcomes that support the specialization of infant mental health, as well as notable changes in educational and train... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958628 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958627&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20233 Parents' behaviors demonstrating reflective capacity towards their children, parental reflective functioning, have been identified as central to both the formation of a secure attachment and therapeutic efforts to remediate attachment problems (Fonagy & Target, 2005; Sadler, Slade, & Mayes, 2006). We hypothesize that reflective skills in providers may be key elements in effecting change through the parent-professional relationship. As a first step, the present study examined early care and intervention providers' self-report of the importance of reflective practice skills in their work with families of young children. We further examined whether provider characteristics such as professional affiliation and experience related to importance ratings. Lastly, we examined, in a preliminary fash... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958627 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958626&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20232 This article considers the various ways that the notion of reflective practice and reflective supervision is used in different disciplines and defines our understanding of its place in IMH training. The program content and delivery emphasize the development of reflective skills in students in a number of ways. These include a supportive relationship-based approach to training; a 12-month infant observation which provides students with the opportunity to understand early development, develop observational skills about infants and families as well as their own responses to the infant and family; ongoing clinical supervision and development of a reflective clinical journal; and study and assessment tasks that require the student to integrate new knowledge into clinical practice. (Source: Infa... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958626 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958625&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20231 This article illustrates how relationship-based practice and reflective supervision can augment the practice of professionals in allied health disciplines in the earliest childhood fields. The authors describe how mental health constructs were integrated into the discipline-specific expertise of one speech-language pathologist and how, in turn, that affected her leadership as graduate program director. The article highlights the transformations that took place within one discipline through the assimilation of a transdisciplinary, relationship-based, and reflective model. The ongoing individual and group supervision of a speech-language pathologist through an intensive, reflective, 2-year experience in a postdegree certificate training program is described to explore the change process; a d... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958625 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958624&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20230 This article describes models of training in infant mental health that utilize reflective supervision as a fundamental component of the educational and clinical experiences. The design and structure of these programs, offered by two medical centers, are described. Benefits and challenges to the adoption of infant mental health practice by trainees are outlined. Incorporation of reflective supervision in the training is discussed, and clinical examples are provided to illustrate its essential role in the development of the infant mental health clinician. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958624 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958624 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958623&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20229 No Abstract. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958623 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958622&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20237 No Abstract. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958622 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2958622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761608&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20228 Little empirical knowledge exists about the importance of culture and the sociopolitical context of race's influence on the social development of infants and young children. In this article, we review current research on the transmission of race and culture to the developing child. Utilizing a historical theoretical framework proposed by Margaret Mahler and colleagues' (1975) theory of infant's development of a separate self, we will examine the potential influence of racial context on children's development. Observational videotaped research methods will be used to describe several young children ages 6 months to 36 months from several racial/ethnic groups and their preferences for "same-race" and "different-race" dolls during structured play. How infants at different stages of social dev... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761608 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2761608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761607&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20227 The present study examined associations between parents' levels of acculturation depressive symptoms, family support, and couple relationship quality with coparenting conflict. We also explored the effects of coparenting conflict on parenting and infant social development in a sample of low-income Mexican American (n = 735) infants (age 9 months) and their parents. Results indicated that couple conflict was the strongest predictor of coparenting conflict. Coparenting conflict had a significant effect on mother--infant interaction and father engagement. The effects of coparenting on father caregiving varied by father's level of acculturation; when there is high coparenting conflict, more acculturated fathers engaged in more caregiving than do less acculturated fathers. Coparenting conflict ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761607 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2761607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761606&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20226 This article examines the socialization goals, representations, and practices in toddler- and preschool-age children and their Mexican immigrant or U.S.-born, Mexican-heritage mothers. Eighty-eight mothers and children (49% girls) participated in this research. All mothers were visited in their homes to be observed and interviewed when the children were 8, 14, 24, and 36 months old. The study used naturalistic observations of children's behavior and participation in everyday routines and their mothers' socialization practices. Prekindergarten teachers reported on the children's school social skills. It was expected that differences in mothers' participation in four distinct cultural communities would be associated with variations in their socialization goals and practices. The mothers arti... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761606 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2761606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761605&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20225 This study examines one aspect of change during the transition to parenthood: the mother's emerging perception of her infant. During pregnancy and at 4 months' postpartum, 220 urban African American mothers between the ages of 13 and 21 years were asked to describe their infants. Content analysis of their responses and ratings of the affective tone of the responses suggest that there are changes from pregnancy to 4 months after the birth that parallel shifts noted in literature on women going through the transition to motherhood as adults. Between pregnancy and 4 months, there was a decreasing focus on infant health and physical appearance and an increasing focus on infant behavioral achievements and personality characteristics. Of particular importance to mothers was that their infants be... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761605 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2761605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761604&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20224 The purpose of this study was to examine how parental supportiveness and child gender are related to toddlers' emotion regulation over time among low-income African American mothers and their children (n = 803). Data for the current study were collected as part of the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project. Using latent growth curve modeling, results indicated that parental supportiveness predicted toddlers' emotion regulation skills, on average (intercepts), and rates of growth of parental supportiveness predicted the rates of growth in emotion regulation over time (slope), beyond the effects of initial parental risk status, child gender, Early Head Start treatment effects, and infant emotionality. However, parental supportiveness over time did not differentially predict toddler... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761604 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2761604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761603&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20223 Temperament among children (N = 111 20-month-olds) from three cultural backgrounds in the United States (Latin American, Japanese American, and European American) was investigated. In accord with a biobehavioral universalist perspective on the expression of early temperament, few significant group differences in child temperament were found, regardless of cultural background; however, factors associated with maternal reports of child temperament differed by cultural group. The findings provide insight into the nature of child temperament generally and temperament of children in immigrant families specifically as well as parenting in immigrant families. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761603 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2761603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761602&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20222 No Abstract. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761602 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2761602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2569847&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20221 Prenatal substance exposure is linked to adverse outcomes in children. Some adverse outcomes may result from insecure attachment and low-quality caregiving rather than from substance exposure. Little is known about the caregiving of polysubstance-using mothers. To address this, low-income mothers (n = 41) with their substance-exposed 12-month-olds were compared with a nonexposed group case-matched for other risk factors. Maternal sensitivity and involvement were analyzed from 2 hr of videotaped interaction. Attachment was assessed using the Attachment Q-Set. Attachment security and quality of caregiving were quite low for both groups, with no significant differences. In addition, regression analyses revealed that quality of caregiving predicted attachment, but amount of alcohol and cocaine... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2569847 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2569847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2569846&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20220 This study contributes preliminary new findings that warrant prospective and longitudinal studies to clarify further the impacts of prenatal SRI and maternal mental mood (e.g., chronic depression and anxiety) effects on the mother-infant interaction and infant pain and stress reactivity. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2569846 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2569846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2569845&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20219 The predictive value of different infant attachment measures was examined in a community-based sample of 111 healthy children (59 boys, 52 girls). Two procedures to assess infant attachment, the Attachment Q-Set (applied on a relatively short observation period) and a shortened version of the Strange Situation Procedure (SSSP), were applied to the children at age 15 months and related to a comprehensive set of indicators of the children's socioemotional development at age 5 years. Three attachment measures were used as predictors: AQS security, SSSP security, and SSSP attachment disorganization. AQS security and SSSP security jointly predicted the security of the children's attachment representation at age 5. Apart from that, SSSP attachment disorganization was a better predictor of the ch... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2569845 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2569845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2569844&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20218 With increasing data on the dynamics of normative couples as they transition to parenthood and become a triad, the need for greater understanding of the impact of parental psychopathology on this transition has become clear. The goal of the current article is to begin exploring this area that has received little attention to date, by describing case examples from a study of clinical families as they transitioned to parenthood. Four representative cases were selected from a pool of 13 mother-father-baby triads, for whom the mother had been hospitalized conjointly with her infant due to a psychotic episode during the postpartum period. The families were observed as part of a clinical consultation that included a semistructured play paradigm known as the Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTP; E. Fivaz-... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2569844 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2569844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2569843&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20217 This study is the first to explore these relationships in a Northern Plains American Indian sample of young children and their mothers. Results suggest possible points of intervention for improving the developmental outcomes of very young American Indian children. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2569843 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2569843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414331&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20216 Treatments that involve the mother-infant dyad have shown great potential for mitigating the deleterious effects of maternal mental health problems for the mother, infant, and the mother-infant relationship. The present study utilizes focus-group data from clinicians providing mother-infant psychotherapy in the Early Connections program, a home-based mother-infant psychotherapy for the treatment of postpartum mood disorders. Findings highlight aspects of the process in mother-infant psychotherapy that contribute to change and positive relational development in the mother-infant dyad as well as in the therapeutic alliance. Viewed through the lens of relational theories relevant to mother-infant treatment (J.V. Jordan, A.G. Kaplan, J.B. Miller, I.P. Stiver, & J.L. Surrey, 1991; D.N. Stern et... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414331 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2414331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414330&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20215 By sometimes evoking self-absorbed and avoidance behaviors in new mothers, postnatal depression affects the quality of mother-infant interaction, which in turn may invoke distress and avoidance in the infant and cause even more lasting impairment in the child's development. Three depressed mothers, A, B, and C, are reported upon after having been offered counseling in accordance with the Marte Meo approach through jointly watching with the therapist video replays of themselves interacting with their newborns. Clinical vignettes are offered which indicate how empathic and positive support of a sensitive therapist can be helpful in inviting the mother's recognition of her importance to her infant and facilitating mutually gratifying interaction between mother and child. Protocol analyses of ... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414330 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2414330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414329&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20214 This study examines a practice which is characteristic of an era of intensifying globalization: As part of a transnational lifestyle, an increasing number of immigrants to North America send infants thousands of miles back to their country of origin to be raised by members of their extended families - a culturally sanctioned tradition. After several years of separation, the children return to the biological parents to attend school in the adopted country, a custom which, according to Western mental health models, could have significant sequelae for attachment relationships and other facets of development. This practice is particularly prevalent among immigrants from the People's Republic of China, but a modified version of it can be found in other groups as well. The work described here is... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414329 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2414329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414328&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20213 The aim of the present case study was to present and discuss the analysis of triadic nonverbal communication between mother, infant, and therapist in two early consultations as an indicator of the therapeutic alliance. The analysis explored nonverbal triadic interactions (body positions and facial orientations of the mother, infant, and therapist, and expressive behaviors of the infant) and triadic affective sharing (via a microanalytic interview of the therapist). The quality of the therapeutic alliance and clinical outcome for each case are described. The description of the two cases illustrates the importance of the progressive development of nonverbal "engagement" by the three people (triadic alliance) and of moments with triadic emotional sharing. The contribution of the therapist app... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414328 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2414328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414327&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20212 Is the process of helping infants and young children learn to sleep through the night a solution to family sleep problems or does it exacerbate matters for mother and child? Retrospective and current accounts from a nonclinical, convenience sample of 102 mothers of preschool-aged children provided information on sleep issues from early infancy through preschool age. Child, mother, and parenting characteristics, along with family sleep arrangements, were differentially related to the age at which children learned to sleep through the night and to the extent of difficulty that characterized this experience. Mothers who indicated more difficulty as their children learned to sleep through the night also reported more depressive symptoms and more strain in the mother-child relationship. Later a... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414327 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2414327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414326&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20211 As part of a curriculum-development project, focus groups were implemented with Early Head Start staff and with parents of infants and toddlers enrolled in Early Head Start. Focus groups were designed to identify staff and parent beliefs about early emotional development. Three major themes were identified that crossed the staff and parent focus groups: (a) Infants' and toddlers' abilities to have emotions and to be aware of others' emotions; (b) roles of parents as advocates, teachers, and disciplinarians; and (c) parental reflectivity about their own experiences as influences on their parenting. The findings suggest that parents participating in Early Head Start have some knowledge about basic emotions and the developmental nature of emotions, but may easily misinterpret emotional displa... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414326 Fri, 01 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2414326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274614&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20210 We report on data provided by a nationwide panel of 23 infant mental health (IMH) experts who provided numerical ratings of the relative importance of 143 competencies desirable for licensed mental health therapists working with infants/children birth to 5 years of age and their families/caregivers. The competencies were developed based on prior state and national efforts and our own experience in training IMH therapists. The competencies were grouped conceptually into seven areas: (a) Normal infant and toddler development; (b) Atypical development (perturbations in development); (c) Emotional/behavioral disorders in infants and young children; (d) Assessment; (e) Intervention; (f) Community resources and referrals; and (g) Organization, communication, and collaboration. We calculated mean... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274614 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2274614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274613&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20209 The goals of this article are to discuss the potential risk of children whose parents were traumatized by terror, to present literature on parenting in the context of terror, and to consider factors that may mediate the transmission of trauma-effects from parents to children. Mediators considered are parents' traumatic distress, disturbed parent-child interactions, trauma-related disturbances in parents' thinking, and effects of stress on children's neural functioning. Also discussed are genetic and environmental factors that may moderate the transmission of intergenerational effects and promote children's risk and resilience. Points raised during the discussion are illustrated with segments from interviews of women who were pregnant or gave birth some time after direct exposure to a terro... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274613 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2274613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274612&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20208 Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have impaired social interaction right from early development. Previous studies (Dawson & Adams, 1984; Tiegerman & Primavera, 1981, 1984) have suggested that imitating children with ASD is effective in facilitating their social behaviors. The present case report, through a 6-month intervention, investigated how a home-based intervention of helping a mother imitate her 21-month-old child with ASD impacted the child's development of social communication outside the experimental settings. Our results show that the mother's imitation of her child might be associated with the development of nonverbal joint attention skills. Positive changes in the mother's emotion towards her child and the mother-child interaction also were noted and represent oth... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274612 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2274612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274611&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20207 Infant disorganized attachment is a significant predictor for later psychopathology. The Working Model of the Child Interview (WMCI; C.H. Zeanah, D. Benoit, & M.L. Barton, 1986) elicits and classifies caregivers' perceptions and subjective experience of their child and relationship with the child, which are related to concurrent and future attachment to the caregiver. However, when the WMCI was first developed, the disorganized attachment classification had not been fully developed, so the original WMCI did not include a classification that is linked to disorganized attachment. We adapted the WMCI coding scheme to include items similar to those identified by K. Lyons-Ruth, E. Bronfman, and E. Parsons (using the Atypical Maternal Behavior Instrument for Assessment and Classification, or AMB... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274611 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2274611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103249&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20205 Maternal depression is recognized as posing a significant risk to the healthy development of infants. Guided by attachment theory, interventions have focused on the distressed mother's relationship with her infant. While interventions which include fathers are reported in the literature, the processes involved in the fathers' support of a distressed mother and in his interactions with his infant in the context of maternal depression remain unexplored. In the case study described here, home-visiting support was directed to the father in a couple in which the mother had been treated for depression after the birth. The observed effects of the intervention on father-infant interaction and the "knock-on" effects on the mothers' parenting suggest that targeting support to fathers in distressed f... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103249 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103248&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20204 In this study, we focus on healthy African American women from low-income environments to investigate the earliest individual differences in biobehavioral regulation, including resting heart rate and variability (HRV). In 87 neonates, HRV was significantly lower in those born to mothers reporting past major depressive disorder (p = .01). The number of maternal life stressors also was associated with lower neonatal HRV (p = .03). Obstetrical complications were not associated with significant differences, but breast- versus bottle-feeding in the first few days of life was related to higher HRV (p = .04). Early variation in physiological regulation may be linked to subsequent individual differences in response to stress. Thus, identifying the earliest point in development when such difference... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103248 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103247&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20203 Conclusion: Direct effects of fetal alcohol exposure, maternal depressive symptoms, and low emotional support from the husband on infant irritability as well as an interaction between fetal alcohol exposure and maternal depressive symptoms were revealed. The interaction can be understood in terms of a diathesis-stress model. However, no longitudinal associations between maternal depressive symptoms and infant irritability could be found. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103247 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103246&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20202 Chronic somatic illness in infancy may challenge the development of mental health and impinge the infant's capability to form close interpersonal relationships. Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital anomaly requiring neonatal surgery, medical aftertreatment, and extended hospitalization. The aim of the study was to assess mental health and to find prognostic factors for mental health among infants with EA. Thirty-nine infants treated consecutively during 2000 to 2003 and their mothers were included. Infant mental health was assessed by Diagnostic Classification: 0-3 (Zero to Three, 1994). Medical and environmental data were collected from medical records and semistructured interview with the mothers. Child development was assessed with the Bayley scales, second edition (N. Bayley, 1993).... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103246 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103245&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20201 This article outlines one approach to utilizing termination as an integral component of the therapeutic process with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and their caregivers. Using a psychodynamic model and working dyadically with the child and the caregiver, termination is approached as a primary intervention, pivotal to the successful treatment of this vulnerable population. (Source: Infant Mental Health Journal) Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103245 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103244&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20200 This study aims to provide extensive descriptions of how children 5 years or younger on September 11th who were living in close proximity to Ground Zero responded that day and in the following months. Sixty-seven New York City parents (with 104 children) participated in focus groups between November 2001 and May 2002. Focus groups also provided a foundation for an in-depth study examining young children's adaptation following 9/11 and changes in parenting behaviors after the disaster. Findings on children's behavioral and emotional reactions on 9/11 and in the 8 months after as well as their need to return to normalcy are reported. Consistent with current understanding of trauma symptoms in young children, parents reported behaviors including chronic sleep disruptions, fearful reactions, d... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103244 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1978351&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20199 This study examined the influence of maternal PPD on fathers and identified maternal and paternal factors associated with father-infant interaction in families with depressed as compared with nondepressed mothers. A convenience sample of 128 mother-father-infant triads, approximately half of which included women with significant symptoms of PPD at screening, were recruited from a screening sample of 790 postpartum women. Mothers and fathers completed measures of depression, marital satisfaction, and parenting stress at 2 to 3 months' postpartum and were each videotaped interacting with their infants. Results indicate that maternal PPD is associated with increased paternal depression and higher paternal parenting stress. Partners of depressed women demonstrated less optimal interaction with... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1978351 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1978351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1978350&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20198 This study focused on attachment of foster children by examining factors associated with attachment relationships of children raised from birth by the same parents. The sample included 61 children between 26 to 88 months of age and their foster caregivers. Attachment security and caregiver sensitivity were coded on the basis of, respectively, a home-observation (Attachment Q-Set) and a laboratory procedure (Three boxes). Other measures included caregiver reports of child externalizing and internalizing behavior problems and symptoms of attachment disorder, including inhibited and disinhibited attachment as well as secure base distortions. For a subsample of children, teacher ratings of behavior problems also were available. Foster parent sensitivity was positively associated with attachmen... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1978350 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1978350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1978349&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20194 The study examines very young children with the aim of identifying precursors of developmental problems during the first 7 months of age. Information from screening and observations in the birth clinic, in the first level of health care, and from parents was collected on five different occasions. The information that was included concerning the child and family was defined as either optimal or nonoptimal. At the age of 4 years, a clinical group was identified (11.1% of the total population). Logistic regression analyses were performed to detect risk factors. Twenty-one precursors were used to create a screening questionnaire that provided useful information (sensitivity = 56.1%, specificity = 98.8%) for predicting developmental problems of the children. The contribution of sociodemographic... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1978349 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1978349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1978348&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20196 This study determined IOF scores for families of ELBW infants with increasing degree of impairment at 18 months and identified factors that increase vulnerability to impact. A total of 3,849 ELBW infant survivors born at the 16 centers of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network between January 1993 and February 2001 were assessed at 18 to 22 months. Infants were divided into four groups by degree of impairment. IOF scores were analyzed by impairment group. Multivariate analyses assessed effects of impairment, social/demographic factors, unmet service needs, and resource utilization on the IOF. A total of 1,624 (42.2%) infants had moderate/severe impairment. Increasing severity of impairment was associated with higher IOF scores. Severity of im... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1978348 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1978348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1978347&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20195 We first summarize the history, extent, and characteristics of institutionalization of non-orphan children in Bulgaria. Then we describe a study of certain psychological characteristics of mothers who use institutionalization compared with mothers similar in ethnicity and close-to-poverty circumstances, those using state daycare programs, and those using weekly care programs for their children. Institutionalizing mothers had been institutionalized themselves far more often than had the other mothers. On two attachment measures, as expected, institutionalizing mothers were less secure and more insecure than daycare mothers, with weekly care mothers intermediate. On a parental representation task, results were somewhat more equivocal. Results suggest that psychological characteristics, espec... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1978347 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1978347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1978346&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20197 This article explores whether PTSD symptoms relating to labor and delivery are associated with mothers' early perceptions of their infant. Using labor and childbirth as the stressor criterion, 211 women were assessed at 6 weeks' postpartum for symptoms of intrusions, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Their perceptions of their infants, of mother-to-infant attachment, and infant behavioral characteristics also were evaluated. In sum, 3.8% of the women fulfilled full diagnostic criteria, and a further 21.3% reported clinically significant symptoms on at least one dimension of PTSD. Those meeting full or partial criteria perceived their attachment relationships to be significantly less optimal and reported more negative maternal representations in terms of their infants being less warm and more in... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1978346 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1978346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1822155&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20189 This pilot study examined the feasibility and efficacy of a manualized, 12-week mother-infant therapy group (M-ITG) model for women with moderate to severe depressive symptoms during the postpartum period. Study participants were referred to the psychiatric clinic of a university medical center for assessment and treatment for postpartum depression. Results of pre- and post comparisons utilizing self-report and observational measures showed that women in the M-ITG groups (n = 18) reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms and experienced their infants as more reinforcing following 12 weeks of treatment than did the depressed women in the waitlist control group (WLCG) (n = 14). Mothers in the M-ITG group also were rated as exhibiting significantly more positive affective involvement a... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1822155 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1822155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1822154&cid=s_33728_144_f&fid=33728&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fimhj.20188 This study examined the quality of mother-infant interaction and levels of perceived stress and parenting efficacy in association with mothers' levels of depression among mothers with significant depressive symptoms during the postpartum period, who were followed prospectively during treatment, and their infants less than 6 months old. Mothers with postpartum depression (n = 19) were treated with medication, and the mothers were observed with their infants prior to treatment and 3 and 6 months later. A comparison group of nondepressed mothers (n = 25) was included to control for the normal developmental changes associated with the postpartum period. The depressed women experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and did not differ significantly from well mothers 6 months aft... Infant Mental Health Journal journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1822154 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1822154