Greater arousal and less attentiveness to face/voice stimuli by neonates of depressed mothers on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale.
Neonates born to depressed (n=44) versus non-depressed (n=43) mothers were compared on individual items of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). The neonates of depressed mothers received lower scores on orienting to the live face/voice stimulus and on the alertness items, suggesting they were less attentive. They also scored less optimally on the cuddliness and hand-to-mouth activity items, suggesting they were more aroused. These data lend support to the model that infants of depressed mothers are more aroused and less attentive.
Hernandez-Reif
Maria
M
Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States. mhernan4@med.miami.edu
Field
Tiffany
T
Diego
Miguel
M
Ruddock
Maxine
M
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014831:Voice