Early behaviour, development and parenting in a very low birthweight infant group

Thirty-seven mothers, their very low birthweight infants and a matched group of term infants of normal birthweight and their mothers were seen when the infants were 12 months old (corrected for prematurity). Data were collected about infant behaviour and development, mother-infant interaction in a free-play situation, and parenting behaviour indicating child-centred care. Findings for the mother-infant dyads in the two birthweight groups were compared to determine the extent to which the data supported possible outcomes of: differences in behaviour/development only, differences in behaviour/development compounded by disturbances of interaction or parenting, or interaction/parenting disturbances despite apparently normal behaviour and development. Results of this analysis indicated significantly poorer scores for the very low birthweight infants on measures of behaviour and development only. Recent reports that interactional problems, which commonly exist early on, resolve through a process of mother-infant adaptation are discussed in light of the findings of this study. The need to consider developmental problems and interactive failure jointly if early intervention is to be offered is also examined.