Prebirth Prediction of the Quality of the Mother-Infant Interaction

Abstract

A predictive method involving the assessment of prebirth functioning and the anticipated quality of parenting is described and developed in order to facilitate identification of families at risk for future parenting. The association between these predictions and selected outcome criteria was studied in a representative sample of 46 families. Both the quantitative and qualitative results support the hypothesis that those families where mother and father were both characterized during the prebirth assessments as above average on adaptation-competence, capacity for relationships, and their positive view of their marriage, and who were expected to provide an optimal parent care environment, did in fact enhance a mother-infant relationship characterized by positive mutuality and responsiveness. It is assumed that the prebirth assessments and predictions, even though global in nature, effectively reflect a profile of family system and individual characteristics that are likely to enhance the development of positive mother-infant mutuality. We stress “enhance” because the characteristics of the infant, such as his or her irritability, are also going to influence the quality of the emerging transaction (Heinicke et al., 1985; Matheny, Riese, and Wilson, 1985).