Patterns of proximity and maternal-infant engagement in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Publication Title
Infant mental health journal
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-8-2024
Keywords
texas; covenant
Abstract
Mother-infant relationship development is influenced by maternal presence, proximity, and the frequency and duration of engagement. Proximity and dyadic engagement can be challenging when an infant is hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This study examined patterns of maternal proximity and engagement in a NICU in the Southwestern United States and identified thematic categories of alternate activities to engagement. Trained observers conducted 52 h of NICU observations, documenting maternal presence, patterns of proximity, engagement, nonengagement, and alternate activities to nonengagement and focused engagement. Results include data from 88 mother-infant dyads. Of the time mothers were in proximity to their infants, 83% of these instances occurred without active engagement. In contrast, focused dyadic engagement was noted in 97% of these observations, while unfocused engagement was recorded in 65% of instances. Mothers in proximity but not actively engaged were most often observed using a smartphone, a trend that was also observed when mothers were in unfocused engagement during nurturing social contexts. While it is expected that occasional interruptions to mother-infant interaction in the NICU will occur, more studies are needed to determine the implications of both brief and prolonged disruptions during dyadic interactions on interaction quality in the NICU.
Area of Special Interest
Women & Children
Area of Special Interest
Mental Health
Specialty/Research Institute
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Specialty/Research Institute
Perinatology/Neonatology
Specialty/Research Institute
Behavioral Health
DOI
10.1002/imhj.22147
