Sensitivity Training for Mothers With Premature Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Maternal-Infant Health
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Premature infants require specialized care, and maternal sensitivity plays a crucial role in their development.
• Parental sensitivity training programs aim to enhance the interaction between mothers and their infants.
• The Mother-Infant Transaction Program (MITP) is a known intervention for improving maternal-infant relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a modified Mother-Infant Transaction Program (MITP) for Chinese mothers of premature infants.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on maternal sensitivity to infant cues.
• To examine the effects on mother-infant interaction quality, maternal psychological well-being, and infant development.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind, parallel-design randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 mothers of premature infants.
• Participants were assigned to either the modified MITP intervention group or a treatment-as-usual control group.
• Assessments included maternal sensitivity, interaction quality, parenting stress, postpartum depression, infant weight gain, and developmental outcomes at multiple time points.

Main Results:

• The MITP group demonstrated significantly higher maternal sensitivity and improved mother-infant interaction quality post-intervention.
• Mothers in the intervention group reported reduced parenting stress and postpartum depression compared to the control group.
• Infant outcomes, including weight gain and developmental performance, were significantly better in the MITP group, mediated by maternal well-being and interaction quality.

Conclusions:

• The adapted sensitivity training program is feasible and effective for Chinese mothers of premature infants.
• The intervention positively impacts maternal psychological well-being and enhances mother-infant dyadic functioning.
• This program holds promise for improving developmental trajectories in premature infants through enhanced maternal sensitivity.