Attachment insecurity in infants with infantile spasms: Maternal anxiety and sadness, and infant's temperament outweigh disease severity

The polyfactorial model of autism and the question of causality

After recalling the different pediatric, psychopathological and child psychiatric models of mental disorders in children and adolescents, the author presents in detail the so-called polyfactorial model, which includes primary, secondary, and mixed factors. This model is the epistemological heir of the Freudian concept of "complementary series." The example of autism is then explored as a paradigm of the usefulness of this polyfactorial model. Finally, we reflect on the notion of causality, from Aristotelian causality to epigenetic causality, which could 1 day re-legitimize psychoanalysis and the impact of the relationship on genome expression.

Assessment of mental health issues in pregnant women with fetal complications: Relation to attachment and anxiety

PURPOSE

Pregnancy period is important for all women. The aim of this study was to evaluate mental status, antenatal depression, attachment, and anxiety in pregnant women with fetal complications.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Mothers who had been diagnosed with fetal complications during pregnancy were interviewed after the delivery of their babies.

FINDINGS

The results showed that anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher in the mothers who had received psychiatric support treatment. Maternal attachment scores were found low, depression scores were found high in mothers of children with congenital anomalies.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of the study, a maternal attachment was low and depression was high in mothers with congenital anomalies.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Possible psychological problems after birth can be prevented by psychotherapeutic nursing interventions during pregnancy to pregnant women who have babies with fetal anomalies.

Self-control and coping responses are mediating factors between child behavior difficulties and parental stress and family impact in caregivers of children with severe epilepsy

OBJECTIVES

To gain a better understanding of parental support needs by assessing parental individual psychological factors as mediating factors between child behavior difficulties and parental perceived stress and family impact of severe childhood epilepsy.

METHODS

One-hundred and sixty two parents of children with severe epilepsy were enrolled in the survey during the hospitalization of their child at the Danish Epilepsy Center. Questionnaires targeted the impact on the family, coping style responses, sense of control, and the level of parental perceived stress.

RESULTS

Serial mediation models demonstrated a mediating effect of self-control and emotional coping (EMCOP) response between child behavioral difficulties and both parental stress (F(4, 127) = 56.371, p < 0.001, R² = 0.64) and family impact (F(3, 134) = 32.202, p < 0.001, R² = 0.42). Low level of control was associated with a higher level of EMCOP response, and a high EMCOP response was associated with greater perceived stress and family impact. Social support ceased to be a protective factor for parental stress in the presence of decreased self-control and higher levels of EMCOP response.

CONCLUSION

Individual caregiver psychological factors influence the degree to which sequelae of epilepsy impact family life and perceived stress in parents. Coping interventions should direct awareness toward the life-control aspect, coping response styles, and illness-specific factors to ensure that appropriate support is provided. Maintaining parental resources is essential, and the parents' capacities to handle the child's behavioral difficulties should be considered.