Association of maternal emotional state in mother-child interaction of infants with and without risk for developmental delay in the first year of life: a cross-sectional study

• Grant number: 22/07263-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira Rocha
• Grantee: Julia Meneguine Tonicelo
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The quality of mother-child interaction is the result of a combination of maternal factors and aspects involving the infant. Thus, any change in maternal emotional conditions and infant health conditions can affect the quality of the interaction between them, harming the infant's development, especially those considered to be at biological risk, due to their greater vulnerability to maternal stimuli. Objective: To verify the association of maternal emotional factors and the quality of mother-child-dyad interaction, in infants with and without risk for developmental delay, in the first year of life. Methods: Infants with and without biological risk, of both sexes, aged between three and 12 months corrected age (for preterm infants) will participate in this study. The assessment of mother-child interaction will be based on the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment (PCERA) instrument. To assess maternal emotional conditions, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - Abbreviated Form (DASS-21) will be used. The collections will take place remotely, being carried out by filling in forms and home videos. The linear regression statistical test will be used to verify whether maternal emotional aspects are associated with the quality of mother-child-dyad interaction in the group with and without risk for developmental delay. A significance level of 5% will be considered for all statistical tests (p d 0.05). Clinical Relevance: Understanding maternal emotional aspects that directly affect the quality of mother-child-dyad interaction in infants with and without biological risk will make it possible to create therapeutic strategies focused on the family context, in order to minimize impacts on child development in the first year of life.