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What predicts poor mother–infant interaction in schizophrenia?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2006

MING WAI WAN
Affiliation:
Centre for Women's Mental Health Research, Division of Psychiatry, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
MARGARET P. SALMON
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
DENISE M. RIORDAN
Affiliation:
Fleming Nuffield Unit, Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside NHS Trust, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
LOUIS APPLEBY
Affiliation:
Centre for Women's Mental Health Research, Division of Psychiatry, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
ROGER WEBB
Affiliation:
Centre for Women's Mental Health Research, Division of Psychiatry, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
KATHRYN M. ABEL
Affiliation:
Centre for Women's Mental Health Research, Division of Psychiatry, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

Abstract

Background. Poor clinician-rated parenting outcome and observed interactive deficits in mothers with schizophrenia admitted to a psychiatric mother and baby unit (MBU) reflect continuing concerns over the parenting capacity of this group. However, little is known about whether interaction deficits are accounted for by severity of illness or adverse social circumstances typically experienced by these mothers.

Method. Thirty-eight women with severe perinatal illness (schizophrenia n=13; affective disorders n=25) and their infants were observed in play interaction a week prior to MBU discharge. Clinical and sociodemographic data were also obtained.

Results. Mothers with schizophrenia and their infants were rated to have poorer interactive behaviour than the affective disorders group. Infant avoidance of the mother was associated with a lack of maternal sensitivity and responsiveness. The deficits in mother–infant interaction found in the schizophrenia group could not be accounted for by our measures of illness severity or factors relating to adverse social circumstances.

Conclusions. The results replicate and extend previous findings showing poor interactive behaviours in mothers with schizophrenia, their infants, and in the dyad, in a range of areas following clinical recovery. The findings suggest that factors other than illness duration, dose of medication, marital status and occupational status are explanatory for the interactive deficits associated with maternal schizophrenia. Parenting interventions that aim to improve maternal sensitivity need to be developed specifically for this group.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
2007 Cambridge University Press

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