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Emotional Rejection of the Infant: Status of the Concept

Ian Brockington1

  • 1Professor Emeritus, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Psychopathology
|September 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Emotional rejection of infants is a clinical issue affecting 1% of births, more common in specialist services. Early recognition and treatment are vital for child development, with further research needed.

Area of Science:

  • Mother-infant psychiatry
  • Developmental psychology
  • Clinical psychology

Background:

  • Emotional rejection of the infant is a significant clinical phenomenon.
  • It impacts approximately 1% of births, with higher prevalence in specialist services.
  • This condition has severe consequences for child development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the clinical significance of infant emotional rejection.
  • To emphasize the need for further research in this area.
  • To underscore the importance of early recognition and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and clinical observation synthesis.
  • Analysis of prevalence data in general and specialist populations.
  • Review of treatment outcomes and research requirements.

Main Results:

  • Emotional rejection of the infant occurs in about 1% of births.
  • It is significantly more frequent in mothers attending specialist services.
  • The condition, while severe, shows positive response to treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Emotional rejection of the infant is a recognized but under-researched area.
  • Further research, including cohort studies and neuroscientific investigations, is crucial.
  • Effective treatment is available, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

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