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Early hospitalization and disturbances of infant behavior and the mother-infant relationship
1Department of Developmental Psychology, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Early hospitalization for cleft lip and palate (CLP) repair may affect infant coping strategies. Hospitalized CLP children showed increased avoidance of mothers after stress, suggesting a learned coping mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Craniofacial Surgery
Background:
- Infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP) often undergo early surgical repair.
- Hospitalization during infancy can be a significant stressor for children and impact attachment.
- The specific effects of early palatal repair hospitalization on infant behavior are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of brief early hospitalization for palatal repair on the social-emotional behavior of infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP).
- To compare the behavioral responses of CLP infants hospitalized at different ages and non-hospitalized controls.
Main Methods:
- A controlled natural experiment involving three groups of infants: CLP infants hospitalized at 9.5 months (n=14), CLP infants hospitalized at 12.5 months (n=13), and non-cleft controls (n=14).
- Assessment of infant-mother attachment and stress responses using the Strange Situation procedure and a brief stressful separation at home.
- Behavioral observations focused on proximity-seeking and avoidance behaviors towards the mother.
Main Results:
- Infants who underwent palatal repair hospitalization were more likely to avoid their mothers following a brief stressful separation at home.
- Hospitalized CLP infants also exhibited increased avoidance of their mothers in the Strange Situation.
- No significant differences in avoidance were noted between the two CLP hospitalization age groups.
Conclusions:
- Brief early hospitalization for palatal repair in infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP) appears to influence their attachment behaviors and stress coping mechanisms.
- CLP infants may develop a strategy of attention-shifting away from the mother as a way to cope with stressful experiences, potentially linked to hospitalization.
- Further research is needed to explore the long-term implications of these behavioral changes.
Abstract:
The impact of brief early hospitalization was investigated in a controlled natural experiment of 14 children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) who were hospitalized for palatal repair at 9.5 months of age, and another 13 CLP children who were hospitalized at 12.5 months of age; 14 children without clefts who were not hospitalized served as controls. After hospitalization children were more likely to avoid their mothers both following a brief stressful separation at home and in the Strange Situation. It was suggested that CLP children may have learned to cope with stress by shifting the attention away from the mother.