A study mother-infant interaction and maternal identity in mother-infant dyads of premature and full-term infants

Abstract:  The study was conducted to examine Mother-Infant interaction and Maternal identity in two groups, that is, premature infant and its mother and full-term infant and its mother. For this purpose, the data were collected from 24 sample groups (12 for premature dyads and the remaining 12 for full-term dyads) by using observation method and questionnaires during July 20 through September 30, 1987. The results are summarized as follows: 1. In terms of Mother-Infant Interaction, full-term dyads considerably stood out compared to that of premature dyads (u = 21, p less than 0.01). 2. In terms of Maternal Identity, though full-term dyads showed somewhat high results, there was not a significant difference between two groups. 3. There was not a significant correlation between Mother-Infant Interaction and Maternal Identity.