This study examined mother-infant attachment relationships as identified by a social work team working with a highly vulnerable cohort. Infants in the ultra-high risk population are most at risk of poor attachment styles. Mothers often have a history of childhood abuse and adversity, criminality, substance abuse, and poor mental health. When combined with socio-environmental aspects within families a high incidence of poor attachment is likely. This study investigated Social Workers’ identification of attachment issues using qualitative methodology in the form of document analysis of Social Worker case notes and semi-structured interviews with Social Workers. Results indicate that the accuracy and frequency of identifying attachment varied and that often the focus was on individual behaviours rather than the dynamic attachment processes of the mother-infant dyad. Disturbance in the attachment relationship was most clearly and accurately identified in cases that involved a major disruption to the mother-infant relationship. Attachment styles were identified as secure in almost every non-crisis case, particularly in the infant’s early years. Possible early manifestations of insecure attachment styles were not viewed through the lens of attachment theory, but rather in the context of behavioural and parenting problems. The potency of the Social Worker-mother relationship emerged as a factor that may in and of itself be crucial in helping mothers attach to their infants.

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Typically, rhesus mothers begin rejecting their infants' attempts to nurse when the infants are approximately three months of age in order to begin the process of weaning. A small subgroup of mothers begin rejecting their infants earlier, at one or two months of age, typically before infants seek and maintain independence from their mother. The effects of this early maternal rejection on the development of infants and some potential factors that contribute to premature maternal rejection were explored in this study. Infants who were rejected early were hypothesized to subsequently spend less time in positive contact with their mother, have lower activity levels, were groomed less by their mother and, as a consequence of the maternal rejections, display a higher frequency of aggression toward other group members when compared to infants experiencing maternal rejection after the age-typical, three months of age. Mothers who were primiparous and/or had a poor early-rearing experience were hypothesized to be more likely to reject their infants prematurely. Consistent with these hypotheses, infants who were rejected early spent less time on their mother's ventrum and were groomed less by their mother, suggesting that early maternal rejection may lead to less positive mother-infant interactions and a more distant mother-infant relationship. Infants rejected early were also more likely engage in aggression. Given the punitive nature of the maternal rejection, the results suggest that aggression is transmitted from mother to infant through their interactions. Prematurely rejected infants were found to spend significantly more time in a passive, withdrawn behavioral state. When assessing the causes of premature rejections, primiparous mothers were not more likely to prematurely reject their infants, indicating that premature rejection was not simply a lack of experience with an infant. There was evidence that the mothers engaging in early rejection had poor early-rearing experiences, with surrogate-peer-reared mothers showing more early rejections than those who were reared by an adult female, and with mothers who were peer-reared having higher rates of rejection overall. The present results suggest that early rejection is associated with more difficult mother-infant relationships and may lead to increased likelihood of aggression in infants.

Submitted by Jailda Nascimento (jmnascimento@pucsp.br) on 2016-10-05T17:00:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Alcimeri Kühl Amaral Veiga Prata.pdf: 867401 bytes, checksum: 7b5fab47f49cf5693e3e10091dc7dd84 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-05T17:00:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alcimeri Kühl Amaral Veiga Prata.pdf: 867401 bytes, checksum: 7b5fab47f49cf5693e3e10091dc7dd84 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-08 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnologia / he aim of this study was to analyze four cases of women who became mothers for the first time and were answered through an empathetic psychoanalytic listening, directed to the issue of maternal helplessness. The theoretical framework focused on the contributions of Freud, Klein, Bion and Winnicott, among other psychoanalysts who specifically work with motherhood. One of the most relevant results was the construction of a listening model psychoanalytically oriented towards motherhood vicissitudes / O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar quatro casos de mulheres que se tornaram mães pela primeira vez e que foram atendidas através de uma escuta psicanalítica empática, direcionada para a questão do desamparo materno. O referencial teórico privilegiou as contribuições de Freud, Klein, Bion e Winnicott, além de alguns psicanalistas que trabalham especificamente com a maternidade. Um dos resultados relevantes foi a construção de um modelo de escuta psicanaliticamente orientado para as vicissitudes da maternidade

The purpose of this project was to interview mothers of newborns who participated in early intervention services focusing on the implementation of a tool developed at the Family, Infant and Preschool Program (FIPP) in North Carolina. The intent was to examine the experience of mothers and home visitors employing the tool, which was designed to enhance the mother/infant relationship. However, a stronger focus on the relationship between mother and home visitor emerged throughout the interviews. Among some participants the relationship among practitioner and parent appeared to create a safe space to share, practice strategies and grow. Although characteristics of FIPP practices associated with the tool remained consistent among home visitors, the way in which services were implemented were unique to each home visitor and parent. Mothers participating in the project were identified as coping with numerous life stressors associated with poverty at the time of the interviews.

Investigou-se a relação mãe-bebê no contexto de infecção materna pelo HIV/Aids, desde a gestação até o terceiro mês de vida do bebê. Mais especificamente, investigou-se a influência da infecção sobre a constituição do vínculo entre mãe e bebê. Participaram do estudo cinco mães portadoras de HIV/Aids, primíparas, entre 19 e 37 anos, em sua maioria casadas. As mães realizaram acompanhamento pré-natal especializado na rede pública de saúde de Porto Alegre. A pesquisa teve um delineamento de estudo de caso coletivo, sendo cada caso investigado no final da gestação e no terceiro mês do bebê. Análise de conteúdo qualitativa foi utilizada para se examinar as entrevistas com base em três categorias: vivência da maternidade, desenvolvimento do bebê e, relacionamento mãe-bebê. Os resultados indicaram que a infecção pelo HIV/Aids agregou ansiedades específicas àquelas já presentes na maternidade. Entre essas se destacam preocupação com a transmissão do vírus ao bebê, medo do preconceito, frustração por não amamentar, preocupação com a adaptação do bebê ao leite industrializado e ao tratamento. Apesar destas dificuldades, prevaleceram nos relatos das mães satisfação com a maternidade, percepção de um desenvolvimento saudável do bebê, e cuidados e interações com bebê, indicando uma relação mãe-bebê repleta de afetos. Os resultados revelam que o HIV/Aids não tem necessariamente um impacto negativo para a qualidade da relação mãe-bebê, mas pode ser um fator de risco quando outras situações adversas estão presentes, entre elas intensa ansiedade da mãe diante da função materna, falta de apoio do pai e da família. Discute-se a importância de intervenções psicológicas que auxiliem estas mães a lidar com as ansiedades diante do HIV/Aids e da maternidade, e assim favoreçam o estabelecimento de uma relação mãe-bebê saudável. / This study investigated mother-infant relationship in the context of HIV maternal infection, from pregnancy to the infant’s third month of life. It investigated especially the effect of the infection on the constitution of mother-infant relationship. The participants were five primiparous mothers suffering from HIV/Aids, aged between 19 and 37. Most of them were married. Mothers had prenatal care at a public health centre for treatment of HIV/Aids, in Porto Alegre. A collective case-study design was used. Data were collected at the end of pregnancy and during the infant’s third month of life. Content analysis was carried out based on three categories: experience of motherhood, infant development and mother-infant relationship. The results indicated that HIV/Aids infection brought specific anxieties which added to those inherent to motherhood experience. Among these were a concern about the transmission of the virus to the baby, the fear of prejudice, the frustration for not breastfeeding, the concern with the use of baby milk powder and treatment. Despite these difficulties, mothers’ satisfaction with motherhood prevailed, as well as perception of a healthy infant development, adequate care and interactions with the baby, indicating a relationship full of mother-infant affects. The results show that HIV/Aids does not necessarily have a negative impact on the quality of mother-infant relationship, but may be a risk factor when other adverse situations are present, such as women’s intense anxiety regarding the mother’s role, the lack of father and family support. The importance of psychological interventions that may help these mothers to cope with the anxieties facing the HIV/Aids and motherhood, and thus promote a healthy mother-infant relationship is discussed.

Investigou-se a relação mãe-bebê no contexto de infecção materna pelo HIV/Aids, desde a gestação até o terceiro mês de vida do bebê. Mais especificamente, investigou-se a influência da infecção sobre a constituição do vínculo entre mãe e bebê. Participaram do estudo cinco mães portadoras de HIV/Aids, primíparas, entre 19 e 37 anos, em sua maioria casadas. As mães realizaram acompanhamento pré-natal especializado na rede pública de saúde de Porto Alegre. A pesquisa teve um delineamento de estudo de caso coletivo, sendo cada caso investigado no final da gestação e no terceiro mês do bebê. Análise de conteúdo qualitativa foi utilizada para se examinar as entrevistas com base em três categorias: vivência da maternidade, desenvolvimento do bebê e, relacionamento mãe-bebê. Os resultados indicaram que a infecção pelo HIV/Aids agregou ansiedades específicas àquelas já presentes na maternidade. Entre essas se destacam preocupação com a transmissão do vírus ao bebê, medo do preconceito, frustração por não amamentar, preocupação com a adaptação do bebê ao leite industrializado e ao tratamento. Apesar destas dificuldades, prevaleceram nos relatos das mães satisfação com a maternidade, percepção de um desenvolvimento saudável do bebê, e cuidados e interações com bebê, indicando uma relação mãe-bebê repleta de afetos. Os resultados revelam que o HIV/Aids não tem necessariamente um impacto negativo para a qualidade da relação mãe-bebê, mas pode ser um fator de risco quando outras situações adversas estão presentes, entre elas intensa ansiedade da mãe diante da função materna, falta de apoio do pai e da família. Discute-se a importância de intervenções psicológicas que auxiliem estas mães a lidar com as ansiedades diante do HIV/Aids e da maternidade, e assim favoreçam o estabelecimento de uma relação mãe-bebê saudável. / This study investigated mother-infant relationship in the context of HIV maternal infection, from pregnancy to the infant’s third month of life. It investigated especially the effect of the infection on the constitution of mother-infant relationship. The participants were five primiparous mothers suffering from HIV/Aids, aged between 19 and 37. Most of them were married. Mothers had prenatal care at a public health centre for treatment of HIV/Aids, in Porto Alegre. A collective case-study design was used. Data were collected at the end of pregnancy and during the infant’s third month of life. Content analysis was carried out based on three categories: experience of motherhood, infant development and mother-infant relationship. The results indicated that HIV/Aids infection brought specific anxieties which added to those inherent to motherhood experience. Among these were a concern about the transmission of the virus to the baby, the fear of prejudice, the frustration for not breastfeeding, the concern with the use of baby milk powder and treatment. Despite these difficulties, mothers’ satisfaction with motherhood prevailed, as well as perception of a healthy infant development, adequate care and interactions with the baby, indicating a relationship full of mother-infant affects. The results show that HIV/Aids does not necessarily have a negative impact on the quality of mother-infant relationship, but may be a risk factor when other adverse situations are present, such as women’s intense anxiety regarding the mother’s role, the lack of father and family support. The importance of psychological interventions that may help these mothers to cope with the anxieties facing the HIV/Aids and motherhood, and thus promote a healthy mother-infant relationship is discussed.

Investigou-se a relação mãe-bebê no contexto de infecção materna pelo HIV/Aids, desde a gestação até o terceiro mês de vida do bebê. Mais especificamente, investigou-se a influência da infecção sobre a constituição do vínculo entre mãe e bebê. Participaram do estudo cinco mães portadoras de HIV/Aids, primíparas, entre 19 e 37 anos, em sua maioria casadas. As mães realizaram acompanhamento pré-natal especializado na rede pública de saúde de Porto Alegre. A pesquisa teve um delineamento de estudo de caso coletivo, sendo cada caso investigado no final da gestação e no terceiro mês do bebê. Análise de conteúdo qualitativa foi utilizada para se examinar as entrevistas com base em três categorias: vivência da maternidade, desenvolvimento do bebê e, relacionamento mãe-bebê. Os resultados indicaram que a infecção pelo HIV/Aids agregou ansiedades específicas àquelas já presentes na maternidade. Entre essas se destacam preocupação com a transmissão do vírus ao bebê, medo do preconceito, frustração por não amamentar, preocupação com a adaptação do bebê ao leite industrializado e ao tratamento. Apesar destas dificuldades, prevaleceram nos relatos das mães satisfação com a maternidade, percepção de um desenvolvimento saudável do bebê, e cuidados e interações com bebê, indicando uma relação mãe-bebê repleta de afetos. Os resultados revelam que o HIV/Aids não tem necessariamente um impacto negativo para a qualidade da relação mãe-bebê, mas pode ser um fator de risco quando outras situações adversas estão presentes, entre elas intensa ansiedade da mãe diante da função materna, falta de apoio do pai e da família. Discute-se a importância de intervenções psicológicas que auxiliem estas mães a lidar com as ansiedades diante do HIV/Aids e da maternidade, e assim favoreçam o estabelecimento de uma relação mãe-bebê saudável. / This study investigated mother-infant relationship in the context of HIV maternal infection, from pregnancy to the infant’s third month of life. It investigated especially the effect of the infection on the constitution of mother-infant relationship. The participants were five primiparous mothers suffering from HIV/Aids, aged between 19 and 37. Most of them were married. Mothers had prenatal care at a public health centre for treatment of HIV/Aids, in Porto Alegre. A collective case-study design was used. Data were collected at the end of pregnancy and during the infant’s third month of life. Content analysis was carried out based on three categories: experience of motherhood, infant development and mother-infant relationship. The results indicated that HIV/Aids infection brought specific anxieties which added to those inherent to motherhood experience. Among these were a concern about the transmission of the virus to the baby, the fear of prejudice, the frustration for not breastfeeding, the concern with the use of baby milk powder and treatment. Despite these difficulties, mothers’ satisfaction with motherhood prevailed, as well as perception of a healthy infant development, adequate care and interactions with the baby, indicating a relationship full of mother-infant affects. The results show that HIV/Aids does not necessarily have a negative impact on the quality of mother-infant relationship, but may be a risk factor when other adverse situations are present, such as women’s intense anxiety regarding the mother’s role, the lack of father and family support. The importance of psychological interventions that may help these mothers to cope with the anxieties facing the HIV/Aids and motherhood, and thus promote a healthy mother-infant relationship is discussed.

Studies suggest that adoptees are at risk for a number of psychopathological behaviors. To understand the etiology of this risk, 150 socially housed rhesus macaques were studied, including 107 infants reared with their biological mothers and 43 infants reared with unrelated adoptive mothers. Mother-infant behaviors were recorded across the first 6 months of life. Analyses were performed using a hierarchical linear mixed model. All reported results were tested at p<0.05. Adopted infants were observed on average to approach and leave their mothers more frequently, explore the environment and locomote longer, exhibit more anxiety-like behavior, spend less time being held to their mother's breast, and were rejected by their mothers more when compared to nonadopted infants, indicating they are more likely responsible for maintaining the relationship. They also direct and receive more noncontact aggression on average to other social group members, and showed evidence of higher anxiety exhibiting high levels of anxiety-like self-directed behavior when compared to nonadopted infants. Also, results indicate that adopted infants have significantly lower levels of the CSF serotonin metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid when compared to nonadopted infants.

Research emphasises the importance of the mother-infant relationship for infants’ well-being. To benefit interventions, the current research, using a critical realist lens, investigates an area that research has neglected, which is the subjective experience of the mother-infant relationship, including experiences of moments of connection. Bourdieu’s ‘thinking tools’ enables exploration of mechanisms that may affect the mother-infant relationship. How the study’s results can inform health visiting practice is considered. Six mothers were interviewed, four of whom participated in a video of their mother-infant interaction. Two focus groups, each with six health visitors, discussed their practice in the context of supporting the mother-infant relationship. Interpretative phenomenological analysis and thematic analysis were employed. This research indicated a high arousal state, referred to as Vigilantia, was experienced by mothers and infants. Vigilantia appeared to support mothers’ drive to make sense of their young infants but also seemed associated with mothers’ reliance on a discourse of the ‘traditional baby’, which stressed instrumental care and omitted the relational infant. The mothers found it difficult to make sense of the “bizarre” relational connection they felt for their infants. Health visitors described obstacles to supporting the mother-infant relationship associated with their service’s design and their role. Health visitors also seemed to identify with some mothers and in doing so could overlook the infants. Neoliberal values discount the relational and these values affect the experience of the mother-infant relationship. Ideas for improving practice are suggested, as well as acknowledgment of the need for social structural changes.