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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Relationship between neonatal behavior and subsequent temperament
1Hannah Khoushy Child Development Center, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|October 1, 1992
Summary
The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale can predict infant temperament. Specific scale items related to orientation, motor maturity, and autonomic stability correlate with later fussy, unpredictable, and unadaptable infant behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neonatal Studies
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Assessing neonatal behavior is crucial for understanding infant development.
- The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) is a tool used for evaluating newborns.
- Predicting later infant temperament from neonatal assessments has theoretical and clinical significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the validity of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) in predicting infant temperament at four months of age.
- To explore correlations between specific NBAS item clusters and infant temperament factors.
Main Methods:
- The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) was administered to 47 healthy, full-term neonates.
- Forty of these infants were followed up at four months of age.
- The Infant Characteristics Questionnaire was used to assess temperament at four months.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between NBAS clusters (orientation, motor maturity) and infant temperament factors (fussy-difficult, unpredictable).
- NBAS items related to autonomic stability correlated with the temperament factor "unadaptable."
- These findings suggest a link between neonatal behaviors and later temperament.
Conclusions:
- The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) shows predictive validity for infant temperament.
- Neonatal assessment may reflect intrinsic qualities that influence later temperament.
- Further research can explore the clinical applications of these findings in early intervention.
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