Predictors of infant positive, negative and self-direct coping during face to face still-face in a Portuguese preterm sample

Abstract

Past studies found three types of infant coping behaviour during Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm (FFSF): a Positive Other-Directed Coping; a Negative Other-Directed Coping and a Self-Directed Coping. In the present study, we investigated whether those types of coping styles are predicted by: infants' physiological responses; maternal representations of their infant's temperament; maternal interactive behaviour in free play; and infant birth and medical status. The sample consisted of 46, healthy, prematurely born infants and their mothers. At one month, infant heart rate was collected in basal. At three months old (corrected age), infant heart-rate was registered during FFSF episodes. Mothers described their infants' temperament using a validated Portuguese temperament scale, at infants three months of corrected age. As well, maternal interactive behaviour was evaluated during a free play situation using CARE-Index. Our findings indicate that positive coping behaviours were correlated with gestational birth weight, heart rate (HR), gestational age, and maternal sensitivity in free play. Gestational age and maternal sensitivity predicted Positive Other-Direct Coping behaviours. Moreover, Positive Other-Direct coping was negatively correlated with HR during Still-Face Episode. Self-directed behaviours were correlated with HR during Still-Face Episode and Recover Episode and with maternal controlling/intrusive behaviour. However, only maternal behaviour predicted Self-direct coping. Early social responses seem to be affected by infants' birth status and by maternal interactive behaviour. Therefore, internal and external factors together contribute to infant ability to cope and to re-engage after stressful social events.

Predicting Patterns of Regulatory Behavior in the Still‐Face Paradigm at 3 Months

“…() similarly report that the association between maternal sensitivity and infant self‐soothing in the FFSF is stronger when infants were rated as less difficult. In the current study, we included the NBAS as an observed measure of temperament as well as maternal reports, to complement the literature's primary reliance on maternal reports (e.g., Fuertes et al., ; Yoo & Reeb‐Sutherland, ; for exceptions see Gunning et al., ; and Braungart‐Rieker et al., ). Nonetheless, in the current study, our multiple measures of infant temperament were not significant moderators of the association between caregiver behavior measures and infant regulatory patterns in the FFSF.…”

“…Although there are many studies describing infants’ response to the still face, only a few studies to date have examined patterns of infant regulatory behavior during the FFSF and, among those that have, only three have examined maternal behavioral predictors. Fuertes, Beeghly, Lopes dos Santos, and Tronick () report that greater maternal sensitivity with their 3‐month‐old infants assessed during an independent free play situation is associated with a greater likelihood of infants being classified in the Positive Other‐Directed Coping cluster in the FFSF. Conversely, greater maternal controlling/intrusive behavior during free play is linked to infants’ classification in the Self‐Directed Coping cluster.…”

Contributos para a auto-regulação do bebé no Paradigma Face-to-Face Still-Face

“…Nestes bebés a expressão negativa é residual em todos os episódios. Do ponto de vista psicofisiológico, as respostas socialmente positivas estiveram negativamente correlacionadas com o aumento do ritmo cardíaco durante o episódio do SF, enquanto o Padrão Orientado para o Auto--conforto esteve positivamente correlacionado com aumento do ritmo cardíaco nos episódios do SF e de reunião (Fuertes, Beeghly, Lopes-dos-Santos, & Tronick, 2011;Tronick & Weinberg, 1990).…”

“…Comparando as duas amostras, verificamos que os bebés de pré--termo apresentam uma menor organização social negativa e uma maior prevalência de comportamentos orientados para o auto-conforto. Concomitantemente, a literatura prévia indicou que o bébé nascido antes das 36 semanas apresenta alterações em termos da sua capacidade de auto--regulação do bebé traduzidas em variações do ritmo cardíaco, alteração da regulação vagal e alteração da produção de cortisol (e.g., Fuertes et al, 2011;Haley & Stansbury, 2003;Moore & Calkins, 2004;Moore, Cohn & Campbell, 2001;Weinberg & Tronick, 1996). Especulamos que a elevada incidência dos comportamentos de auto-conforto em bebés de pré-termo pode ser explicada pela necessidade de adaptação dos bebés prematuros aos internamentos nas unidades de cuidados neonatais que implicam cuidados intrusivos e dolorosos, convívio com muitos profissionais e períodos de afastamento dos pais, bem como, a ansiedade que esta situação pode provocar nos mesmos (e.g., Gomes-Pedro, 1995).…”

“…Por seu lado, a mãe insiste em comportamentos intrusivos, como virar a cara do bebé na sua direção, agitar demasiado os membros da criança, tocar de forma insistente. Neste ponto, existe menos pesquisa mas já se verificou que o Padrão Orientado para o Auto-conforto se associa ao comportamento de Controlo e Intrusividade das mães aos 3 e 9 meses (Fuertes et al, 2009(Fuertes et al, , 2011 em bebés de pré-termo.…”