Showing papers in "The Japanese journal for midwife in 1985"

Reliability and validity

Abstract: Definition: To what extent does the study allow us to draw conclusions about a causal effect between two or more constructs? Issues: Selection, maturation, history, mortality, testing, regression towrd the mean, selection by maturation, treatment by mortality, treatment by testing, measured treatment variables Increase: Eliminate the threats, above all do experimental manipulations, random assignment, and counterbalancing.

[Mother-to-infant "bonding"].

Abstract: The concept of maternal 'bonding', i.e. rapid mother-to-neonate attachment, appears frequently in psychiatric, paediatric and social work discussions of childhood psychopathology and child abuse. 'Bonding' is used as a diagnostic concept, and one which has to bear the weight of important explanatory, descriptive and predictive statements. In turn, it is related aetiologically to post-partum contact and separations of mother and infant. The authors present a critical review of the concept, exploring its empirical basis, and the implications (logical and illogical) that flow from its application in practice. They conclude that the usage of the term 'bonding' is often misleading, because of a tendency to reify and simplify attachment phenomena; in addition, there are no indications from animal investigations and no evidence from human studies which directly support the notion of a 'sensitive period' in the formation of mother-to-infant attachments. They also describe the negative and pessimistic implications of using this concept in social work and clinical practice. Alternative ways of conceptualising these early parent-child events are suggested.

[Early mother-neonate contact and the mother-child relationship].

Abstract: IN THE last decade, considerable excitement has been generated by the suggestion that events occurring in the immediate postpartum period can have a substantial influence on parental behavior and thus on subsequent child development. In a series of research reports and position papers, Klaus and Kennell (1976), Lozoff et al. (1977), Klaus et al. (1972), Kennell et al. (1979) and de Chateau (1976, 1977, 1980) have argued that there exists in human mothers a sensitive period immediately after delivery during which certain experiences are more likely to produce affectionate attachments or bonds to infants than at any other time. When this 'bonding' process is interrupted, it is postulated, various forms of aberrant parental behavior, including child abuse and neglect, are more likely to occur and suboptim£il child development is more likely. Until recently, the obstetrical practices prevalent throughout the Western world (especially the United States) involved regular mother-infant separations immediately after birth, which meant, according to Klaus and Kennell, that many dyads were placed at risk for parenting failure. The tenor of Klaus and Kennell's argument is well represented by the following excerpt from their popular book. Maternal-Infant Bonding (1976): '"There is a sensitive period in the flrst minutes and hours of life during which it is necessary that the mother and father have close contact with their neonate for later development to be optimal" (p. 14; italics added). Research conducted by these investigators suggested that extraordinary efforts might be necessary to overcome the effects of early separation. In many cases, therefore, mothers denied early contact with their infants might appear deficient months and even years later (de Chateau, 1980; Klaus and Kennell, 1976; Sugarman, 1977; Trause, 1981).