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

• In Event: Poster Session 03
  In Poster Session: PS 03 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Introduction: Infants born preterm (PT, <37 gestational weeks) are at increased risk for regulatory difficulties and insecure attachment. However, the association between infants’ regulatory behavior patterns and their later attachment organization is understudied in the preterm population.
Aims: The current study addresses this gap by comparing the regulatory behavior patterns of infants born moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT, 32-36 gestational weeks) to those of infants born full-term (FT, 37-42 gestational weeks), and evaluating the associations of these regulatory patterns with later attachment.
Methods: Analyses were based on data collected for 202 infants (74 MLPT and 128 FT) and their mothers in a longitudinal study. Infants’ regulatory behavior patterns were evaluated in in the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm at 3 months corrected age (Social-positive oriented, Self-comfort oriented, Distressed-inconsolable), and their attachment organization (secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-ambivalent, insecure-disorganized) was evaluated in the Strange Situation at 12 months corrected age.
Results: Cross-tabulation analyses indicated that, in both samples, the Social-Positive Oriented regulatory pattern was associated with secure attachment; the Distressed-Inconsolable pattern with insecure-ambivalent attachment; and the Self-Comfort Oriented pattern with insecure-avoidant attachment. However, compared to the FT infants, infants born MLPT were more likely to exhibit a Self-Comfort Oriented regulatory pattern at 3 months and avoidant attachment at 12 months.
Conclusion: Our findings and previews studies, support the hypothesis that organized patterns of regulatory behavior early in infants’ development contribute to their later attachment organization. Infants acquire self-regulation gradually and primarily in relational contexts. MLPT repeated attempts to regulate emotions during and after stressful situations are based more on their own efforts than on others’ support. These iterated experiences gradually modulate infant’s style of overregulate their emotions

Authors

• Marina Fuertes, Lisbon School of Education
  Presenting Author

• Joana Gonçalves, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences
  Non-Presenting Author

• Miguel Barbosa, University of Lisbon, Medical School
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marjorie Beeghly, Wayne State University
  Non-Presenting Author