Dataset Information

Beyond Early Adversity: The Role of Parenting in Infant Physical Health.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Although ample evidence indicates that child health is compromised by early adversity (e.g., abuse and poverty), less is known about the contribution of parenting in low-stress contexts to child health, especially in infancy. This longitudinal study extends previous research on early adversity to ask the question: Does quality of parental care predict infant health in a low-risk community sample?

Method

Participants were 187 healthy mothers and their full-term infants (86 girls) from the Netherlands, followed from birth to age 1. Home observations of mothers' behavior were conducted during a naturalistic task (bathing session) when infants were 5 weeks old. Trained researchers interviewed mothers about the infants' health and prescribed antibiotic use every month for 12 months. Infant health problems were categorized into 4 domains according to the International Classification of Primary Care to capture a range of outcomes: respiratory, digestive, skin, and general illnesses and symptoms.

Results

Controlling for health-related covariates (e.g., maternal smoking and breastfeeding), maternal sensitivity predicted reduced rates of infant respiratory symptoms and skin conditions and marginally lower prescribed antibiotic use over the first year. Maternal behavior was unrelated to infant digestive and general illnesses.

Conclusion

Even in the absence of adversity, quality of maternal care may have implications for the development of physical health, beginning as early as the first year of life. That such findings emerge in a low-risk sample helps rule out potential confounders and underscores the importance of parenting for physical and psychological health outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Stern JA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9364161 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Beyond Early Adversity: The Role of Parenting in Infant Physical Health.

Stern Jessica A JA Beijers Roseriet R Ehrlich Katherine B KB Cassidy Jude J de Weerth Carolina C

Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP 20200801 6

<h4>Objective</h4>Although ample evidence indicates that child health is compromised by early adversity (e.g., abuse and poverty), less is known about the contribution of parenting in low-stress contexts to child health, especially in infancy. This longitudinal study extends previous research on early adversity to ask the question: Does quality of parental care predict infant health in a low-risk community sample?<h4>Method</h4>Participants were 187 healthy mothers and their full-term infants (8 ...[more]

PMID: 32271266

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Dataset Information

Beyond Early Adversity: The Role of Parenting in Infant Physical Health.

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Beyond Early Adversity: The Role of Parenting in Infant Physical Health.

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