Low quality of mother-child interaction in infants at psychosocial risk is associated with risk of developmental delay

Abstract

Early childhood is a fundamental period in children´s development and depends largely on their interactions with their main caregivers.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between risk of psychomotor developmental delay (PDD) with mother-child interaction quality, postpartum depressive symptoms, and other factors related to care and environment in healthy infants at psychosocial risk.

Patients and Method: Analytical cross-sectional study in 181 mothers at psychosocial risk and their children aged under one year seen in Primary Health Care. The presence of risk of PDD was determined using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire and its association with interaction quality (CARE Index), postpartum depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale), and other factors related to environment and care (questionnaire applied to the mother) was studied through bivariate and multivariate analyses, adjusting for confusing variables.

Results: 20% of infants were at risk of PDD. There was an increased risk of presenting risk of PDD after adjusting for predefined control variables with: low-quality mother-child interaction (OR = 2.46, p = 0.03), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) <6 months (OR = 2.58, p = 0.01), and partner does not help with childcare (OR = 2.97, p = 0.03). No significant association was observed with postpartum depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: In healthy infants at psychosocial risk, low-quality mother-child interaction, EBF <6 months, and the non-involvement of the father in the childcare are associated with a higher risk of PDD.