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Autonomic Nervous System Maturation and Emotional Coordination in Interactions of Preterm and Full-Term Infants With

Christina Koumarela1, Theano Kokkinaki1, Giorgos Giannakakis2

  • 1Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Crete, Rethymnon, Greece.

JMIR Research Protocols
|April 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study explores how heart rate variability (HRV) in preterm infants relates to emotional coordination with parents and later development. Findings may inform interventions for preterm infant social-emotional growth.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychophysiology

Background:

  • Limited understanding of pathways affecting preterm infant development, particularly autonomic nervous system maturation and social behavior.
  • Need to explore the link between heart rate variability (HRV) and early social interactions in infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the relationship between emotional coordination and HRV in preterm and full-term infant-parent interactions.
  • Examine how emotional coordination and HRV correlate with infant developmental outcomes at 18 months.
  • Assess the influence of parental postnatal depression, family cohesion, and coping on these relationships.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal, mixed-methods observational study with video recordings of infant-parent interactions.
  • Collection of infant HRV parameters and parental self-report questionnaires (depression, cohesion, coping).
  • Assessment of toddler social and cognitive development at 18 months.

Main Results:

  • Study protocol approved; recruitment of full-term and preterm infants and parents ongoing.
  • Data collection planned for completion by March 2023, with initial results expected by end of 2023.
  • Focus on understanding the interplay between physiological regulation and social-emotional development.

Conclusions:

  • Investigating HRV's regulatory role in preterm infants and social reciprocity is crucial.
  • Findings may offer insights for both medical and psychological interventions for preterm infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
developmental outcomesemotional coordinationheart rate variabilitypreterm infants

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