Interactive styles in the early relationship between mother and infant affected by cleft lip and palate. An observational study in an italian sample

Infants affected by cleft lip (with or without cleft palate) can show difficulties in socio-emotional interactions with their mothers. This study aims to assess the quality of communicative exchanges early in development. Two groups, the index group and the control one, each of 16 mother-infant couples, were recruited. Mother-infant face-to-face interactions at two months were video-recorded for five minutes. Mothers and infants’ behaviours and interactive styles were rated by the GRS - Global Rating Scales [29]. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed by completing BDI - Beck Depression Inventory. The results show that index infants were less involved in the relationship with their mothers than controls. Compared to controls, mothers of index group appeared less sensitive. There were no differences between the two groups of mothers in terms of their responses on the questionnaire about depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, during the interaction with their children mothers of index group infants showed signs of depression. Globally, mother-infant interactions in the index group appeared poorer and had fewer positive communicative exchanges than in the control group. In conclusion, cleft lip in the infant significantly impairs the quality of early mother-infant interactions. These results suggest the importance of planning early interventions to support the relationship between mothers and infants affected by cleft-lip.

Keywords: Early mother-infant interactions; cleft lip and palate; Global Rating Scales

Rosario Montirosso, Lynne Murray, Guenda Ghezzi Perego, Roberto Brusati, Francesco Morandi, Renato Borgatti, Modalità interattive nella relazione precoce tra madre e bambino affetto da labio-palato-schisi. Studio osservativo su un campione italiano in "CHILD DEVELOPMENT & DISABILITIES - SAGGI" 3/2009, pp 134-152, DOI: 10.3280/CDD2009-003007