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[Attachment in very low birthweight infants (< 1500 g) and their mothers]

Paul Schiltz1, Petra Walger, Maya Krischer

  • 1Universität Bern. Paul.Schiltz@lgl.lu

Praxis Der Kinderpsychologie Und Kinderpsychiatrie
|April 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Attachment patterns in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants showed instability over time, shifting towards insecure representations by age seven. No significant link was found between infant and caregiver attachment styles.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neonatal Care
  • Attachment Theory

Context:

  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500g) face significant challenges, including prolonged hospital stays and concerns about survival and potential disabilities.
  • Early life experiences profoundly shape development and attachment patterns.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the stability of attachment representations in VLBW infants at age seven.
  • To examine the concordance between the attachment representations of VLBW children and their primary caregivers.
  • To build upon findings from the Kölner Frühgeborenen Studie.

Summary:

  • Attachment patterns were assessed in 40 VLBW children and their mothers using the Geschichtenergänzungsverfahrens zur Bindung (GEV-B) for children and the Adult Attachment Projective (AAP) for mothers.
  • Initial attachment representations followed a normal distribution but shifted towards insecure attachment over time.
  • A significant correlation between the attachment patterns of VLBW children and their mothers was not identified.

Impact:

  • Highlights the dynamic nature of attachment in VLBW survivors, suggesting a potential vulnerability towards insecure attachment.
  • Underscores the importance of longitudinal studies in understanding the developmental trajectories of high-risk infant populations.
  • Informs clinical interventions aimed at supporting the psychosocial development of VLBW infants and their families.

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