Late-preterm birth, maternal symptomatology, and infant negativity

The present study examined Infant negativity and maternal symptomatology by term status in a predominately low-Income rural sample of 132 infants (66 late-preterm) and their mothers Late-preterm and term infants were group-matched by race Income and maternal age Maternal depression and anxiety symptoms were measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18) when infants were 2 and 6 months of age Also at 6 months infant negativity was assessed by global observer ratings maternal ratings and microanalytic behavioral coding of fear and frustration Results indicate that after controlling for infant age late-preterm status predicted higher ratings of infant negativity by mothers but not by global observers or microanalytic coding despite a positive association in negativity across the three measures Further mothers of late-preterm Infants reported more elevated and chronic co-morbid symptoms of depression and anxiety which in turn was related to concurrent maternal ratings of their infant s negativity Mothers response to late-preterm birth and partiality in the assessment of their infant s temperament is discussed (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved