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A self-comfort oriented pattern of regulatory behavior and avoidant attachment are more likely among infants born

Marina Fuertes1,2, Joana L Gonçalves2, Miguel Barbosa3

  • 1Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.

Infancy : the Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies
|September 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Infants born moderate-to-late preterm (32-36 weeks gestational age) show more self-comforting behaviors and avoidant attachment compared to full-term infants. Higher Apgar scores link to positive regulation and secure attachment.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neonatal Research
  • Attachment Theory

Background:

  • Infants born preterm (<37 weeks gestational age) face higher risks for regulatory issues and insecure attachment.
  • The link between preterm infants' regulatory behaviors and attachment organization remains understudied.
  • This study investigates regulatory patterns and attachment in moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT) versus full-term (FT) infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare regulatory behavior patterns in MLPT and FT infants.
  • To examine the association between infant regulatory patterns and attachment organization.
  • To identify factors influencing regulatory and attachment outcomes in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • A Portuguese sample of 202 mother-infant dyads was studied.
  • Infant regulatory patterns (Social-Positive Oriented, Distressed-Inconsolable, Self-Comfort Oriented) were assessed at 3 months using the Face-to-Face-Still-Face paradigm.
  • Attachment organization (secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-ambivalent) was assessed at 12 months corrected age using the Strange Situation.

Main Results:

  • Across both groups, Social-Positive Oriented regulation correlated with secure attachment, Distressed-Inconsolable with insecure-ambivalent, and Self-Comfort Oriented with insecure-avoidant attachment.
  • MLPT infants were more prone to Self-Comfort Oriented regulation and avoidant attachment compared to FT infants.
  • Higher 1-minute Apgar scores were associated with Social-Positive Oriented regulation and secure attachment.

Conclusions:

  • Infant regulatory patterns are linked to attachment organization in both preterm and full-term populations.
  • Moderate-to-late preterm infants exhibit distinct regulatory and attachment profiles, with a higher prevalence of self-comforting behaviors and avoidant attachment.
  • Early indicators like Apgar scores may predict positive regulatory and secure attachment outcomes.

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