title: Theoretical approaches to maternal-infant interaction: which approach best discriminates between mothers with and without postpartum depression?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine which of the four common approaches to coding maternal-infant interaction best discriminates between mothers with and without postpartum depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  After extensive training, four research assistants coded 83 three minute videotapes of maternal infant interaction at 12month postpartum visits. Four theoretical approaches to coding (Maternal Behavior Q-Sort, the Dyadic Mini Code, Ainsworth Maternal Sensitivity Scale, and the Child-Caregiver Mutual Regulation Scale) were used. Twelve month data were chosen to allow the maximum possible exposure of the infant to maternal depression during the first postpartum year. The videotapes were created in a laboratory with standard procedures. Inter-rater reliabilities for each coding method ranged from .7 to .9. The coders were blind to depression status of the mother.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven of the women had major depressive disorder during the 12month postpartum period. Receiver operating characteristics analysis indicated that none of the four methods of analyzing maternal infant interaction discriminated between mothers with and without major depressive disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitations of the study include the cross-sectional design and the low number of women with major depressive disorder. Further analysis should include data from videotapes at earlier postpartum time periods, and alternative coding approaches should be considered. Nurses should continue to examine culturally appropriate ways in which new mothers can be supported in how to best nurture their babies.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Louisville and University of Louisville Hospital/Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, KY. Electronic address: Mclogs01@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: M Cynthia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Logsdon
authors.affiliation: Betty and David Jones Undergraduate Scholar, School of Nursing, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. Electronic address: M0mitt02@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mittelberg
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, KY. Electronic address: Krake17@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. Electronic address: Ashley.robertson7@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: lutherj@edc.pitt.edu.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Luther
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: wisniew@edc.pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Wisniewski
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: confal@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Confer
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: eng@edc.pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: sitdk@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Dorothy K Y
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sit
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Electronic address: Katherine.wisner@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wisner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D012372:ROC Curve; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents