Browsing by Author "Faria, Anabela"
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- Antibiotic consumption, illness, and maternal sensitivity in infants with a disorganized attachmentPublication . Fuertes, Marina; Faria, Anabela; Gonçalves, Joana L.; Antunes, Sandra; Dionisio, FranciscoPrior research found an association between mother–infant attachment and antibiotic use. Ambivalent-attached infants are more likely to take antibiotics than other infants, and their mothers tend to be less sensitive to their needs than most. This finding is important because it shows the association between psychological processes, early relationships, and health outcomes. We aim to learn about children with high-risk attachment relationships, such as disorganized-attached infants. This study compares antibiotic use, infant–mother interactive behavior, and health indicators according to infant attachment patterns (including disorganized attachment). For this purpose, we observed mothers–infants’ interactive behavior in free play at nine months and infants’ attachment in the Ainsworth Strange Situation at twelve months. Participants included 77 girls and 104 boys (full-term and preterm) and their mothers. Paradoxically, mothers of disorganized-attached infants reported that their children were ill only 1.56 times on average, but 61% of their children used antibiotics in the first nine months. The other mothers reported that their children were sick 5.73 times on average, but only 54% of their children used antibiotics in the same period. Infants with disorganized attachment had mothers who were more literate and less sensitive. These results add to a body of research that shows that early high-risk relationships affect children’s lives at multiple levels.
- Developmental and evolutionary assumptions in a study about the impact of premature birth and low income on mother–infant interactionPublication . Fuertes, Marina; Faria, Anabela; Soares, Hélia; Crittenden, PatriciaIn order to study the impact of premature birth and low income on mother–infant interaction, four Portuguese samples were gathered: full-term, middle-class (n=99); premature, middle-class (n=63); full-term, low income (n=22); and premature, low income (n=21). Infants were filmed in a free play situation with their mothers, and the results were scored using the CARE Index. By means of multinomial regression analysis, social economic status (SES) was found to be the best predictor of maternal sensitivity and infant cooperative behavior within a set of medical and social factors. Contrary to the expectations of the cumulative risk perspective, two factors of risk (premature birth together with low SES) were as negative for mother–infant interaction as low SES solely. In this study, as previous studies have shown, maternal sensitivity and infant cooperative behavior were highly correlated, as was maternal control with infant compliance. Our results further indicate that, when maternal lack of responsiveness is high, the infant displays passive behavior, whereas when the maternal lack of responsiveness is medium, the infant displays difficult behavior. Indeed, our findings suggest that, in these cases, the link between types of maternal and infant interactive behavior is more dependent on the degree of maternal lack of responsiveness than it is on birth status or SES. The results will be discussed under a developmental and evolutionary reasoning
- Interação e linguagem dirigida a crianças de quinze mesesPublication . Fuertes, Marina; Castro, Sofia; Alves, Maria João; Faria, Anabela; Osório, Tiago; Sousa, OtíliaIn this study we compare maternal and paternal interaction and speech directed to their children, in order to analyze differences and similitudes between the dyads. For that purpose, 80 dyads were taped in a free play situation – forty 15 months old children (25 girls, 15 boys) interacting with their parents. Results demonstrate no significant differences regarding the way mothers and fathers interact with their sons and daughters. However, differences in mothers versus fathers’ style of communication toward their children were found, particularly naming and positive evaluation behaviors. Although differences were found, we underline positive correlation in interaction and communication of cohabiting parents.
- Momentos de interação em que as emoções se aprendem : estudo exploratório sobre a prestação materna e infantil em jogo livrePublication . Fuertes, Marina; Faria, Anabela; Soares, Hélia; Costa, Antónia OliveiraNuma amostra com 99 díades mãe-filho (sem condições evidentes de risco), tendo os bebês entre 3 e 6 meses, analisamos breves sequências de jogo livre. Pretendíamos estudar a interacção mãe-filho num registo próximo do dia a dia. Para o efeito, avaliamos: a expressão facial, expressão vocal, posicionamento e manipulação, expressão afetiva, reciprocidade, directividade e jogo proporcionados pelas mães. Nos bebês observamos as respostas faciais, vocais, afectivas, a capacidade de responder reciprocamente e comportamento em jogo. Os resultados indicam que os comportamentos maternos muito sensíveis e adequados e os seus opostos – muito desajustados – são minoritários. De fato, a maioria das mães combina sensibilidade com alguma intrusão. A generalidade das crianças apresenta receptividade às solicitações maternas, mas não são raros os comportamentos difíceis e de resistência. A sensibilidade materna e a cooperação infantil apresentaram uma forte associação. Por fim, verificamos que os comportamentos maternos e infantis foram afectados pelo sexo da criança, pela educação e pelas idades maternas e o nível socioeconômico das famílias
- Pais e mães protegem, acarinham e brincam de formas diferentesPublication . Faria, Anabela; Santos, Pedro Lopes dos; Fuertes, MarinaNo presente artigo de revisão quisemos explorar os papéis maternos e paternos no estabelecimento da vinculação e na qualidade da interação entre pais (pais e mães) e filhos nos primeiros dois anos de vida. Vários estudos recorrendo à Situação Estranha indicam que a vinculação segura é mais frequente em díades mãe-filho do que em díades pai-filho, e que as mães em média são mais sensíveis do que os pais. No entanto, a diversidade de estudos, metodologias e resultados permitem-nos reinterpretar o papel paterno. Adicionalmente, as medidas de avaliação da sensibilidade foram, na maioria dos casos, aferidas em estudos da relação mãe-filho(a) e não sabemos se integram a diversidade de comportamentos da relação pai-filho(a). Importa compreender e discutir as diferenças da vinculação com a mãe e com o pai no quadro mais amplo das relações da família.
- Reactividade infantil e a qualidade da interacção mãe-filhoPublication . Faria, Anabela; Fuertes, MarinaNo quadro dos estudos sobre o relacionamento mãe-filho, procurámos averiguar a relação entre a reactividade infantil observada em condições de stress e a qualidade do comportamento interactivo infantil e materno em jogo livre. Para o efeito, seleccionámos uma amostrade 40 díades mãe-filho cujos bebés tinham cerca de 3 meses e não apresentavam nenhuma condição declarada de risco. A qualidade da interacção mãe-filho foi avaliada em jogo livre através da escala CARE-Index. Para testar a reactividade infantil submetemos os bebés à situação experimental Still-Face. Os resultados mostram que a reactividade infantil expressa naquela situação laboratorial não é independente do comportamento dos bebés em jogo livre. Com efeito, os bebés com maior dificuldade em conformar-se com a ausência de resposta materna apresentam um comportamento menos cooperativo e difícil em jogo livre. Em sentido inverso, os bebés que em jogo livre são menos participativos apresentam menores índices de reactividade negativa quando a mãe mantém a cara inexpressiva. Em termos diádicos, verificamos que existe uma forte correlação entre o comportamento cooperativo do bebé e a sensibilidade materna em jogo livre. Os resultados são discutidos no quadro do desenvolvimento dos processos de interacção mãe e filho.
- The effects of parental sensitivity and involvement in caregiving on mother–infant and father–infant attachment in a portuguese samplePublication . Fuertes, Marina; Faria, Anabela; Beeghly, Marjorie; Santos, Pedro Lopes dosIn the present longitudinal study, we investigated attachment quality in Portuguese mother–infant and in father–infant dyads, and evaluated whether attachment quality was related to parental sensitivity during parent–infant social interaction or to the amount of time each parent spent with the infant during play and in routine caregiving activities (e.g., feeding, bathing, play). The sample consisted of 82 healthy full-term infants (30 girls, 53 boys, 48 first born), and their mothers and fathers from mostly middle-class households. To assess parental sensitivity, mothers and fathers were independently observed during free play interactions with their infants when infants were 9 and 15 months old. The videotaped interactions were scored by masked coders using the Crittenden’s CARE-Index. When infants were 12 and 18 months old, mother–infant and father–infant dyads were videotaped during an adaptation of Ainsworth’s Strange Situation. Parents also described their level of involvement in infant caregiving activities using a Portuguese version of the McBride and Mills Parent Responsibility Scale. Mothers were rated as being more sensitive than fathers during parent–infant free play at both 9 and 15 months. There also was a higher prevalence of secure attachment in mother–infant versus father–infant dyads at both 12 and 18 months. Attachment security was predicted by the amount of time mothers and fathers were involved in caregiving and play with the infant, and with parents’ behavior during parent–infant free play.