Early Maltreatment and Current Quality of Relational Care Predict Socioemotional Problems Among Institutionalized Infants and Toddlers

Abstract

The present study is focused on child socioemotional problems 6 months after institutionalization, by considering the putative predictive role of child maltreatment, of developmental functioning at admission and the following months, and of the quality of institutional relational care. Fifty institutionalized infants and toddlers participated in this study. Child developmental functioning (i.e., cognitive, language, and motor development) was assessed at admission to the institution (Wave 0), and 3 (Wave 1) and 6 months (Wave 2) thereafter. The quality of institutional relational care—operationalized in terms of caregivers’ sensitivity and cooperation—was measured at Wave 2. Caregivers reported on the presence of disturbed socioemotional behaviors at Wave 2. Child gestational age, birth weight, age, and stunted growth at admission to the institution served as covariates. Results revealed significant associations between socioemotional difficulties and lower levels of motor development at Waves 0 and 1, child maltreatment, and less sensitive caregiving. A logistic regression showed that child maltreatment and caregiver insensitivity were the only significant predictors of disturbed socioemotional functioning by the end of 6 months of institutionalization.

Toward a dimensional model of family-based resilience: Sensitivity, stimulation, and stability as moderators of early-life adversity.

“…Unfortunately, the inadequate environmental conditions of institutions/orphanages limit opportunities for receiving sensitive care (e.g., high child-to-caregiver ratios; high staff turnover; Zeanah et al, 2003), and thus fail to meet children’s socioemotional needs. Baptista et al (2018) found that, following 6 months of institutionalization, caregiver insensitivity significantly predicted socioemotional problems in Portuguese toddlers. Fortunately, adoption or placement into high-quality foster care provides an opportunity for increased exposure to sensitivity and, consequently may result in a restoration of attachment relationships (Ponciano, 2010; van Ijzendoorn & Juffer, 2006).…”

Regional Disparities of Stunted Toddler in Indonesia

“…Toddlers who have married mothers have a lower risk of being stunted. Married mothers tend to have better mental states [21][22] because the mother can share the burden and role with her husband. A better parental process will reduce the risk of fives being stunted [23][24][25].…”

Rede de apoio da criança acolhida: a perspectiva da criança

“…Crianças acolhidas que recebem cuidados de educadores com menor disponibilidade afetiva apresentam maior probabilidade de apresentar desenvolvimento socioemocional fragilizado (Baptista, Silva, Marques, Martins & Soares, 2018;Corval, Belsky, Baptista, Oliveira, Mesquita & Soares, 2017). Sendo que as crianças ressaltam o quão negativo é para elas a interação com educadores mais rígidos, sendo importante compreender que a forma como esse cuidador interage com a criança pode refletir na maneira como ela interage com seus pares (Furtado, Magalhães, Silva, Cruz & Santos, 2019;Platilha, Magalhães & Pedroso, 2014).…”