The influence of paternal sensitivity on the psychomotor development of the preterm-born child.

THE INFLUENCE OF PATERNAL SENSITIVITY ON THE PSYCHOMOTOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRETERM-BORN CHILD Franco Baldoni1, Elisa Facondini1, Gina Ancora2, Loredana Cena3 1University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, 2Ospedale Infermi, Rimini, Italy, 3University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy Introduction In families of preterm-born children the psychological characteristics of the father are important for the protection of the family and for the child's development. Aim of this research was to study the influence of paternal sensitivity and attachment forerunners on the psychomotor development of the child. Method A sample of 120 father-child couples, 60 with preterm-born children (birth weight < 1500 g) and 60 with term-born children (birth weight > 2500 g) were assessed from birth to 12 months of corrected age. CES-D for the assessment of depressive symptoms and STAI-Y2 for the assessment of trait anxiety were administered to all fathers. At 3 months of corrected age of the babies, all couples were subjected to CARE-Index, a video-recorded procedure of adult-child spontaneous interaction evaluating parental sensitivity and attachment forerunners. The child’s psychomotor development was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Results Fathers of preterm children compared to controls, showed lower dyadic sensitivity (p < .01), more frequent insecure attachment forerunners (p < .01) and higher depression symptoms (p < .003). 75% of these fathers fall into the high risk category of the CARE-Index (requiring psychological and/or pharmacological treatment). These factors were associated with lower scores on the psychomotor development of the children at 6 months of corrected age (p < .01). Low paternal sensitivity and the presence of insecure attachment forerunners seem to have negative effects on the psychomotor development of preterm-born and also of term-born children (p < .05). Conclusions The relationship between father and child is significantly different in families of preterm infants. In particular, low paternal sensitivity and insecure attachment forerunners seem to influence negatively the psychomotor development of the newborn. These data underline the necessity of programs involving the father from the beginning of the pregnancy.