The effect of infant colic on maternal self‐perceptions and mother‐‐infant attachment

Abstract

Mothers of infants who developed colic were compared with mothers of non-colic infants on their perceptions of parenting self-efficacy, and separation anxiety as well as their attachment relationship with their infants. Colic was identified prospectively through telephone contacts with mothers. Questionnaires on self-efficacy and separation anxiety were completed when infants were 5 months of age. At 18 months of age mothers and infants (colic and non-colic) participated in a laboratory situation to measure attachment. Results revealed that mothers of colic infants reported feeling less competent as mothers. In addition, while mothers of colicky infants tended to have more separation anxiety than mothers of non-colic infants, they felt that these separations did not have a negative effect on their child. Finally, no differences were revealed for attachment classifications between colic and non-colic infants at 18 months.

Infant irritability: The impact of fetal alcohol exposure, maternal depressive symptoms, and low emotional support from the husband

“…In contrast, well-adjusted mothers tend to have warmer interactions with their children (Mangelsdorf, Gunnar, Kestenbaum, Lang, & Andreas, 1990). Other researchers (e.g., Lehtonen, 2001;Stifter & Bono, 1998), however, have claimed that the relationship is reversed and that the influence goes from infant irritability to maternal depression. Stifter and Bono (1998), for instance, noted that mothers with highly irritable infants at 3 to 5 weeks of age scored lower on a maternal self-efficacy questionnaire at 5 months.…”

“…Among these factors, fetal alcohol exposure, maternal postnatal depressive symptoms, and emotional support from the husband were investigated. Earlier studies have indicated that fetal alcohol exposure (e.g., O'Connor, 2001;Scher et al, 1988) and maternal depressive symptoms (e.g., Hiscock & Wake, 2001;James-Roberts et al, 1998;Lam et al, 2003;Lehtonen, 2001;Stifter & Bono, 1998) are related to increased irritability while an emotionally healthy relationship between the parents was associated with decreased irritability (e.g., Räihä et al, 1996Räihä et al, , 1997Räihä et al, 1995).…”

“…Other researchers (e.g., Lehtonen, 2001;Stifter & Bono, 1998), however, have claimed that the relationship is reversed and that the influence goes from infant irritability to maternal depression. Stifter and Bono (1998), for instance, noted that mothers with highly irritable infants at 3 to 5 weeks of age scored lower on a maternal self-efficacy questionnaire at 5 months. James-Roberts and Plewis (1996) concluded that the question of the causal direction between infant irritability and maternal depression is unresolved.…”

Inconsolable Infant Crying and Maternal Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

“…Inconsolable infant crying is distressing to caregivers, affecting their parenting self-confidence 33 and their behavioral responses toward their child, and may have important and lasting effects on the parent-child relationship. 34 Although parents are likely prepared for the fact that their infant will cry, many may be unprepared for the discomfort and frustration that occurs when they are unable to console their child.…”

Stress experiences of parents with premature infants in a special care nursery

“…Studies have shown that mothers of infants with colic had psychological distress such as anxiety, fatigue, depression and hostility (Pinyerd, 1992;St. James-Roberts et al, 1996) and rated themselves as less competent than mothers of infants who did not have colic (Stifter and Bono, 1998). …”