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The article examines the portrayal of monstrous beauty and monstrous femininity in George R. R. Martin's series of epic fantasy novels "A Song of Ice and Fire." It discusses the monstrosities of murderous, mythological mothers as a result of losing their children under a patriarchal tradition, the bond between mother and child evoked by deviant women, and representation of feminism, madness of Daenerys Targaryen, deceptive beauty of Cersei and violence of Catelyn Stark in "Game of Thrones."

A growing body of research suggests that, compared with single parent–child attachment relationships, child developmental outcomes may be better understood by examining the configurations of child–mother and child–father attachment relationships (i.e., attachment networks). Moreover, some studies have demonstrated an above-chance level chance of concordance between the quality of child–mother and child–father attachment relationships, and child temperament has been offered as a plausible explanation for such concordance. To assess whether temperament plays a role in the development of different attachment network configurations, in this preregistered individual participant data meta-analysis we tested the degree to which the temperament dimension of negative emotionality predicts the number of secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant, and disorganized attachment relationships a child has with mother and father. Data included in the linear mixed effects analyses were collected from seven studies sampling 872 children (49% female; 83% White). Negative emotionality significantly predicted the number of secure (d = −0.12) and insecure-resistant (d = 0.11), but not insecure-avoidant (d = 0.04) or disorganized (d = 0.08) attachment relationships. Nonpreregistered exploratory analyses indicated higher negative emotionality in children with insecure-resistant attachment relationships with both parents compared to those with one or none (d = 0.19), suggesting that temperament plays a small yet significant role in child–mother/child–father insecure-resistant attachment relationships concordance. Taken together, results from this study prompt a more in-depth examination of the mechanism underlying the small yet significantly higher chance that children with increased negative emotionality have for developing multiple insecure-resistant attachment relationships. Public Significance Statement: Little is known about whether temperament, which is thought of as a behavioral manifestation of one's genetic predisposition, plays a role in the development of simultaneous attachment relationships with multiple caregivers. Results from this study suggest that parents-reported temperamental attributes of negative emotionality play a small yet significant role in the number and concordance of insecure (especially resistant type) attachment relationships children develop with their mothers and fathers, prompting an in-depth examination of the mechanism underlying such associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socioemotional and referential communication are primary expressions of interpersonal engagement in infancy and beyond. Early socioemotional communication in dyadic interactions may form a foundation for triadic referential communication and gesture production, yet the role of temperament in moderating their association has not been examined. We investigated whether early socioemotional communication behaviors, and infant temperamental reactivity, were associated with later pointing production. Participants were 51 infants (45% girls) and both their parents (86.5% Dutch). Early infant socioemotional communication (production of smile, vocalizations, and gaze) was observed during separate home-based face-to-face interactions with mothers, fathers, and strangers at 4 and 8 months. At both ages, mothers and fathers reported on infant temperamental surgency and negative affectivity, and overall means were calculated. Referential communication (declarative pointing) was measured during structured lab-based observations at 12 and 15 months. Socioemotional and referential communication behaviors were microanalytically coded second by second. Poisson multilevel regression analyses indicated interaction effects between temperament and smile, vocalizations, and gazes to the adult's face with each partner in predicting pointing. High levels of infant temperamental surgency tended to enhance positive associations between early socioemotional communication behaviors with mothers and fathers and pointing. By contrast, high levels of negative affectivity tended to dampen associations between early communication behaviors with strangers and pointing. Results highlight the importance of infant socioemotional communication with diverse partners and the moderating role of temperamental reactivity in predicting referential communication. Public Significance Statement: Infant referential communication (e.g., the pointing gesture) is a foundation of early social cognition and language development, yet documented behavioral precursors of pointing are scant. This study indicates that in interaction with temperamental reactivity, early behavioral patterns of infant socioemotional communication (smile, vocalizations, gaze) with diverse partners (mother, father, stranger) predict pointing. High levels of temperamental surgency tended to enhance positive associations between early socioemotional communication behaviors with mothers and fathers and pointing, while high levels of negative affectivity dampened associations between early communication behaviors with strangers and pointing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human milk feeding has generally been described using a heteronormative and cisnormative paradigm focusing on a mother and child dyad with the child nursing at the mother's breast and the father in a supportive role. However, there has been a paradigm shift that has emerged from the LGBTQI+ community that recognizes dynamic gender identities, gender roles, sexual orientations, and diverse family structures. Social workers can best provide support to people with dynamic and diverse gender roles and a variety of family structures. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of social work best practices, including de-sexed and gender-inclusive language, gender-affirming, and trauma-informed care in supporting lactation and infant feeding for LGBTQI+ families. This paper acknowledges and describes terminology that promotes equity and inclusivity in human milk feeding and provides examples of information and anticipatory guidance that social workers can use to protect, promote, and support human milk feeding in the LGBTQI+ community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study addressed whether specific linguistic variables used by adoptive parents were associated with ratings of the adoptee's relationship with their birth mothers. Background: Parents transmit their beliefs and values to children through verbal and nonverbal communication. The ways in which adoptive parents discuss their child's adoption and birth family can influence the child's adoptive identity development and satisfaction with their adoption arrangements. Method: Participants included mothers, fathers, and adolescents (M age = 15.7 years) in 177 adoptive families of children who were adopted domestically as infants by same‐race parents. The Linguistic Analysis and Word Count 2015 (LIWC2015) program was used to code adoptive parents' interviews regarding their thoughts and feelings about adoption and their child's birth family. Adolescents' views of birth mothers were coded from their interviews. Results: There were significant differences in linguistic patterns when adoptive parents discussed adoption generally compared to when they discussed their child's birth family. Specific linguistic variables used by adoptive mothers and fathers were significantly associated with adopted adolescents' perceptions and feelings towards their birth mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates how parenting stress mediates the intergenerational continuity of childhood adversity in teenage mothers. Childhood adversity experiences of caregivers significantly affect their offspring's exposure to childhood adversity. However, little is known about the mechanisms linking childhood adversity across generations. The study measures how parental distress and parent-child dysfunctional interaction mediate the association between teen mothers' childhood adversity and their offspring's adversity, measuring when the offspring reached 11.5 years of age. The results revealed that parental distress, but not parent-child dysfunctional interaction, mediated the association between teen mothers' child abuse and their offspring's household dysfunction. This suggests that parental distress may be a crucial intervention target to prevent the intergenerational continuity of childhood adversity. The findings imply that efforts to prevent the intergenerational continuity of childhood adversity may be more successful if the public and professionals have a broader understanding of the associations between early adversity and parenting contexts. In conclusion, the study shed light on the potential mechanisms underlying the intergenerational continuity of childhood adversity and highlights the importance of targeting parenting stress, specifically parental distress, as an intervention strategy to prevent the perpetuation of childhood adversity across generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Improving acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among nursing students is an important strategy for both preventing infection and building public confidence in the vaccine. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the views of intern nursing students on the COVID-19 vaccine and to evaluate their experiences in the COVID-19 vaccination unit. METHODS: This was a phenomenological qualitative study with a descriptive design. The 46 intern nursing students included in this study were all trained in the COVID-19 vaccination unit. The data was collected at focus group interviews conducted during June 2021 and October 2021. RESULTS: The mean age of intern nursing students was 22.78±0.91. From the focus group interviews, two themes were identified regarding the views of intern nursing students on the COVID-19 vaccine and their experiences in the COVID-19 vaccination unit: Theme 1. Positive views; Theme 2. Negative views. Intern nursing students described that they trust the COVID-19 vaccine and believe in its protection. Intern nursing students who performed their clinical practices in COVID-19 vaccination unit stated that they realized their responsibilities toward patients and the community. CONCLUSIONS: From the INSs' point of view, confidence in the vaccine, responsibility towards patients, their families and the community, and VU practice experience, the health risk associated with COVID-19 positively affected their decision to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The participation of intern nursing students in clinical practice during the pandemic influenced both intern nursing students and population in terms of the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is a public health priority, and the perinatal period is a sensitive life stage when preventive interventions could be particularly effective. Protecting and buffering pregnant persons and infants from exposure to adversity can optimize children's development and health trajectories, reduce future morbidity and mortality, and even break intergenerational cycles of adversity, but no study has synthesized experimental evidence on effectiveness of interventions to address ACEs in the perinatal period. Objectives: To (1) identify perinatal ACE prevention interventions, tested in high quality randomized control trials, with a dyadic perspective examining outcomes for mother and child; (2) describe their (a) place on the public health prevention continuum and (b) incorporation of life course characteristics that aim to optimize life health trajectories; and (3) determine which interventions show evidence of effectiveness. Methods: We undertook a scoping review, using a modified PRISMA-Sc approach, of articles published in English between January 2000 and November 2023 identified through Psych info and PubMed using search terms for a broad range of adversities, with additional capture of articles from relevant reference lists. Interventions were included if they targeted an identified ACEs exposure or risk; were tested in randomized controlled trials (RCTs); reported outcome measures for both mother and child and were initiated during pregnancy. Interventions were further analyzed using the public health prevention continuum and Life Course Intervention Research (LCIR) characteristics frameworks. A two-tailed t test was used to ascertain the association between LCIR characteristics, and the outcomes achieved. Results: Of 2148 articles identified, 57 were in scope for detailed analysis, yielding 53 unique interventions. Overall, 42 (74%) reported some positive impact; 37 (65%) for mothers; 37 (65%) for the child, and 32 (56%) for both. Interventions with the strongest evidence based on study quality and reported outcomes were co-parenting programs designed to improve the quality and function of the co-parenting relationship, home visiting interventions, and integrative health interventions incorporating baby massage and/or yoga. Half of effective interventions were secondary prevention focused. The mean number of life course characteristics was significantly higher in the studies that reported a positive impact on the mother and/or child (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Few studies specifically addressed ACEs as a defined set of adversities, yet a range of perinatal interventions showed positive impacts on individual ACE risks or exposures. Intentional incorporation of life course characteristics and bundling of evidence-based components into comprehensive perinatal interventions hold promise for future ACEs prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT There are no established diagnostic criteria for neonatal vitamin A deficiency (VAD), and applying adult VAD criteria to neonates may overestimate the neonatal VAD rate. This study aimed to evaluate neonatal vitamin A (VA) status and redefine thresholds for neonatal VA adequacy and deficiency based on maternal VA nutrition. A cross‐sectional study involving 1901 mother–neonate pairs was conducted in Chongqing, China. VA nutritional status was assessed by measuring serum VA levels and dietary VA intake from the third trimester to birth. The VAD rates of maternal dietary intake and serum were 27.091% and 23.356%, respectively, while 88.8% of neonates had serum VA levels < 0.70 μmol/L, the threshold for adult VAD. Neonatal VA levels were significantly lower than maternal levels. All neonates were healthy, with no clinical signs of VAD. Neonatal VA levels correlated positively with maternal VA levels. The threshold for neonatal VA adequacy was estimated to be ≥ 0.489 (95%CI: 0.464–0.512) μmol/L when maternal VA nutrition was adequate, and the 2.5th percentile of VA levels among all neonates was 0.192 μmol/L, predicting neonatal VAD. The study concluded that neonatal VAD rates might be overestimated, as most neonates received adequate VA from their mothers. Maternal VA status is a reliable predictor of neonatal VA status due to their close relationship. This study offers a new perspective on prenatal nutrition for determining neonatal VA adequacy and deficiency thresholds and developing neonatal VA supplementation programs. Further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contributes new knowledge about how, prior to formal education, young children can develop ‘translingual practice' – dispositions, assumptions, and strategies for achieving shared understandings despite interlocutors’ linguistic differences. It engages with linguistic perspectives from the Global South to explore translingual practice in ‘Dovubaravi', a small, rural, Indo-Fijian community in Fiji. Eleven young Dovubaravi children, their mothers and extended families participated across two years. Qualitative ethnographic data included semi-structured conversations with mothers about their goals for their children’s language learning, photograph elicitation, audio- and video-recordings of naturalistic interactions, and field notes. The findings indicate the mothers hope their children will become adept translingual practitioners, and that Dovubaravi speakers demonstrate translingual dispositions, assumptions, and strategies in familial interactions with and around young children. The article draws on language socialisation theory to explain how young Dovubaravi children develop their translingual practice by observing and actively participating in routine familial interactions with translingual features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic media use among preschoolers is a growing concern. This study investigates the relationship between mother phubbing and problematic media use in preschoolers, examining the mediating role of child screen preference and the moderating effect of extraversion. 772 mothers (Meanage = 34.13 years) with preschool-aged children from Shanghai completed an online survey. The study found a significant positive correlation between mother phubbing and child problematic media use, mediated by the child's screen preference. Extraversion moderated the link between mother phubbing and child screen preference, with the relationship weakening as the child's extraversion increased. These findings highlight the complex interplay between parental behaviour, child characteristics, and media use patterns in early childhood, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions considering both environmental and individual factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the multiple critiques that have been addressed to the concept of ‘parental alienation’ , evidence suggests an increased popularity in recent years. Abused women who seek protection can be labelled as ‘alienating’ mothers. This article investigates the impacts of ‘parental alienation’ allegations on women and children who have experienced domestic violence, focusing on the impacts on mother-child relationships. It draws upon findings from a study that involved multiple case studies conducted with women who had experienced domestic violence and who had been seen as ‘engaging in parental alienation’. For these women, the allegations of ‘parental alienation’ had had negative and sometimes dramatic impacts on the relationships with their children. First, the allegations had resulted in limited or no contact between women and their children. Second, the allegations had limited mother-child communication and had made it more complicated. Third, the allegations had limited women’s ability to protect their children. Fourth, some women reported changes in their children’s behaviours, as some children had expressed feelings of frustration and anger as a result of this situation. The fifth theme emerging from the data was a collection of strategies women used to protect and support their children despite these allegations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Recent studies have highlighted the association between problematic screen exposure (PSE) in preschool children and various health issues. This study aims to determine the relationship between PSE and oral/dental health as well as parafunctional oral habits in this population. Methods: Healthy children aged 3 to 6 years who visited the pediatric dentistry outpatient clinic were included in the study. PSE was evaluated using the parent-reported 'Seven-in-Seven-Screen-Exposure Questionnaire'. An intraoral examination was conducted to record the number of decated, missing, and filled teeth, along with scores from the International Caries Detection and Assessment System II (ICDAS II), as well as dental plaque and gingival indices. Results: A total of 210 mother–child pairs were included in the study, comprising 70 pairs with PSE and 140 pairs without PSE. The sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of daily tooth brushing behaviors, use of children's toothpaste, and regular dental examinations were statistically evaluated between the PSE and non-PSE group (p > 0.05). Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of having abnormal oral habits (p > 0.05). In the PSE group, the median scores for gingival and plaque index were significantly higher (p = 0.011 and p = 0.006, respectively). The median number of decayed teeth was significantly higher in the PSE group (p = 0.039). Conclusions: Turkish preschool children with PSE were found to have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing poor oral health. Consequently, it is essential to conduct oral health examinations for Turkish preschool children exhibiting PSE. The study may have clinical implications for the evaluation of preschool children with problematic media use within dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: When young children experience recurrent respiratory infections, caregivers face the challenge of preventing new episodes whilst maintaining close rapport with their children. Pediatric massage, such as pediatric Tuina, entails soft massage of the skin, administered by trained providers. This non-pharmaceutical measure is used to prevent new respiratory infections in China. The aim of this study is to deepen our understanding of caregivers' experiences and perceptions of providing pediatric Tuina treatment to their children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. Methods: A qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews, was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Sixteen mothers from Southern China, whose children had received pediatric Tuina for recurrent respiratory tract infections, participated online. Analysis was conducted according to the principles of reflexive thematic analysis, using the NVivo qualitative research software. Results: The overarching theme was "Fostering embodied care with children". Caregivers assessed pediatric Tuina by hearing others' experiences of pediatric Tuina, as well as observing the manipulations on their child's body and their bodily reactions during pediatric Tuina sessions. Caregivers also closely observed children's bodily changes after pediatric Tuina sessions. Embodied attachment between children and adults was nurtured through the pediatric Tuina. Compared to other treatments or medical consultations, children were more relaxed and more involved in embodied care, which involved direct skin touching and verbal communication from the pediatric Tuina provider. Children also took the initiative to bring pediatric Tuina into their family life, by asking caregivers to perform it on them and mimicking the manipulations on the caregivers' hand. Conclusions: Pediatric Tuina served as a means of interaction between children and adults, fostering an embodied care on both a physical and emotional level. Beyond its potentially preventive effect on recurrent respiratory tract infections, pediatric Tuina could be a support for parents of children with recurrent or chronic disease at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy complications are far more common in young women. This could inhibit their personal growth and development, take away them of their youth and education, and decline the general health of the country in the process. Focusing on this problem is an ideal matter. Education, family planning, raising community awareness, and teaching adolescents the importance of delaying marriage, reproductive health, and involvement of parents will surely help transform today's teenage girls into healthy, responsible adults who will bear a healthy future generation. The study emphasizes the lived experiences, challenges, coping mechanisms, and parent's role. Moreover, the study's findings which were based on the Thematic Analysis, were as follows: (1) Teenage Mothers have maternal adjustment difficulties, adolescent reproductive health knowledge gaps, and fear of negative evaluation. (2) Teenage Mothers struggles to discrimination, social rejection anxiety, parenting efficacy, academic disengagement, and financial stress. (3) Lastly, when talking about their coping techniques, Teenage Mothers found support system such as family functioning, where they feel positive, peer influence that uplifts them, maternal identity development through fellow teenage mothers, parent-infant attachment as a source of their motivation, and spiritual well-being where they offer, they overall life to God. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research has shown that negative sexual attitudes are associated with lower levels of sexual functioning among men and women, however, little is known about how attitudes about mothers as sexual beings are associated with sexual functioning for parents. Aim: The aim of the current study was to examine how attitudes toward mothers as sexual beings (ATMSB) were associated with sexual functioning for women and partners of women among parents with young children. Methods: Cross-sectional retrospective data were collected online via Qualtrics Panels from 475 women and men (partnered to women) who reported having their first child within the last 5 years. Outcomes: The Revised Female Sexual Function Index and revised Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite–Short Form were used to measure sexual function in women and men, respectively. Results: Results indicated that after controlling for age and relationship length, more positive ATMSB predicted higher levels of sexual functioning (and multiple domains of functioning) for men and women. Clinical Implications: These findings indicate that sexual functioning, especially in parents, is linked to the attitudes held toward seeing mothers as inherently sexual (or not). Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study to examine how attitudes toward mothers as sexual beings can impact sexual functioning, though the cis heterosexual mostly white sample is a notable limitation. Conclusion: ATMSB may need to be examined and challenged in the context of treating sexual dysfunction during this transitional period for mothers and those partnered to mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a prolonged stress and anxiety response that occurs after exposure to a traumatic event. Research shows that both parental and child posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are correlated but parental executive functions (EFs) could buffer this link. EFs refers to a group of high‐level cognitive processes that enable self‐regulation of thoughts and actions to achieve goal‐directed behaviours and can be of importance for both positive parenting interactions and effective coping skills for PTSS. Our study aimed to (1) examine the link between maternal and child PTSS and the moderating role of varying degrees of exposure to severe security threats context, and (2) to identify the moderating role of maternal EFs in this interaction, among families living in southern Israel. Our sample included 131 mothers in their second pregnancy and their firstborn children. Mothers performed computerised tasks to assess their EFs and they reported on their own and their child's PTSS. Results revealed a positive correlation between maternal PTSS and child PTSS. However, the link between maternal and child PTSS was moderated by maternal working memory updating abilities and threat context severity. Among mothers with lower updating capacities, the association between maternal and child symptoms was stronger under higher threat contexts; conversely, among mothers with higher maternal updating abilities, threat context did not modulate the link between maternal and child PTSS, suggesting a stress‐buffering effect. Our study contributes to the growing literature on the significant role of parental EFs in the context of parent‐child interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze secondary data from three mother-child dyads in order to evaluate how family photographs and training in naturalistic strategies affected the way mothers reminisce with their children with autism spectrum disorders. Method: A secondary analysis (i.e., collateral effects) of a single-case dataset was conducted to assess the impact of family photographs and training in naturalistic strategies on the selected variables. Results: The introduction of family photographs showed positive effects on the mother's reminiscing style and the child's memory responses across all dyads. Furthermore, additional improvements were observed in these areas after training and coaching in the target strategies. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the positive impact of using family photographs and naturalistic based strategies in joint-reminiscing conversations for mothers and children with autism spectrum disorder. The intervention improved the mothers reminiscing style and child's memory responses, highlighting the potential value of parent-implemented interventions, especially those based on naturalistic strategies, in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To inform parent-mediated intervention models, this study assessed if family affectedness (i.e., elevated autism symptoms in more than one child) was associated with maternal self-reported social difficulties (as indexed by the Social Responsiveness Scale; SRS-2), and social interactions during play. As part of a prospective study, 71 mothers completed the SRS-2 and a play session. Interactions were coded for a range of prosocial behaviors, including gaze, positive affect, and vocalizations. Overall, mothers with multiple children exhibiting autism symptoms self-reported significantly more social difficulties on the SRS-2, when compared to mothers raising only typically developing children, or one child with autism. However, even with elevated SRS-2 scores, mothers with higher family affectedness demonstrated comparable social exchanges with their children during play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It seems that children's anxiety is affected by parental factors and the child's personality characteristics. The objective of this study was to develop a model of child anxiety based on maternal overprotection, anxious beliefs, and the mediating role of child inhibition in clients referred to the Urmia Police Force Counseling Center, Urmia, Iran. Methods: In this modeling type of correlational study, among the clients referring to the Urmia Police Force Counseling Center in 2021-2022, 218 mothers with children aged 2 to 8 years were selected using a convenience sampling method. Mothers completed the Roth Manual of Mother-Child Relationship Evaluation (MCRE), Spence et al. Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS), Francis and Chorpita Parental Beliefs about Anxiety Questionnaire (PBA-Q), and Bishop et al. Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ). The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS [mean, standard deviation (SD), and correlation] and Amos software using the path analysis method. Results: A significant positive relationship was found between maternal overprotection (r = 0.49, P < 0.001), anxious beliefs (r = 0.54, P < 0.001), child inhibition (r = 0.48, P < 0.001), and child anxiety. Moreover, overprotection had an indirect and positive effect (p = 0.41, P < 0.02) on the child's anxiety given the mediating role of the child's inhibition (p = 0.073, P < 0.01). Anxious beliefs directly (p = 0.41, P < 0.01), indirectly, and positively affected a child's anxiety given the mediating role of the child's inhibition (p = 0.098, P < 0.001). It should be noted that the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) index was 0.09 and the comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.987, which were acceptable. Conclusion: Based on the results, the mother's cognitive and behavioral characteristics can affect anxiety through the child's behavioral inhibition characteristic. In addition to parents' cognitive and behavioral characteristics, the child's temperament and parents' response based on the children's temperament should be also considered in the diagnosis and treatment of children's anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Meaningful interactions with significant others are crucial for children's well-being, including those with severe to profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. This study aimed to gain more insight into the potential of an ICT-Toolkit in enhancing or contributing to the interaction between parents and their children with complex care needs. Methods: A multiple case study with an AB experimental design was conducted. Four mother-child dyads were observed during eight two-and-a-half-hour home visits. Children between 6 and 16 years with severe to profound intellectual and multiple disabilities were included. A participatory research observation approach was used. Results: Using the ICT-Toolkit compared to the baseline phase stimulated a decrease in the repetitive activities of two of the four dyads. Overall, the activity repertoire of the children and the length of time being engaged in individual activities increased, and the activities together increased in three of the dyads. There were more turn-taking interactions; the children took more initiative to engage their mother in their activity, and the children exhibited more affection when engaging with the ICT-Toolkit items. Three mothers followed their children more in their play, and all mothers were more verbally and physically active in instructing and/or motivating their children. Discussion: All mothers noticed their child's "new" behaviour when interacting with an ICT-Toolkit item. The mothers followed the child's lead when engaged with the ICT-Toolkit. The ICT-Toolkit's added effect may be due to the predictability, uncomplicated and highly perceivable stimuli it provides with minimal effort and maximum effect. IMPLICATION OF REHABILITATION: A technology toolkit contributes to activities and mother-child interactions for children with intensive care needs. The ICT-Toolkit contributes to more turn-taking interactions and more initiative taking by the children to engage their mother in their activity. Children exhibited more affection towards their mothers when engaging with the ICT-Toolkit items. The participation in this study led mothers of children with intensive care needs to mentalise about the needs of their child and how their behaviour may influence the behaviour of their child. The ICT-Toolkit's added effect may be due to the predictability, uncomplicated and highly perceivable stimuli it provides with minimal effort and maximum effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caregivers play a critical role in supporting youth experiencing persisting symptoms after concussion (PSAC). However, there are limited empirically validated interventions tailored to the specific needs of caregivers, such as improving concussion knowledge and supporting psychosocial wellbeing. This study aims to describe the development of a virtual group intervention for caregivers of youth experiencing PSAC, Move&Connect-Caregivers (M&C-C), and examine its feasibility. Nine mothers participated across two M&C-C groups. Feasibility metrics and semi-structured interviews were collected and analyzed using descriptive and qualitative content analysis. Results suggest that M&C-C is a feasible intervention. By merging social support, concussion psychoeducation, and active skill building, M&C-C is meaningful for caregivers supporting their children experiencing PSAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The composition and amount of breast milk is affected by factors such as the duration and frequency of breastfeeding, the time between two breastfeeding sessions, the effectiveness of breastfeeding, breastfeeding technique, genetic characteristics of the mother and diet. Breast milk macronutrients are provided by milk synthesized in lactocytes, mother's diet and maternal stores. Research Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the body composition of mothers and the anthropometric characteristics of the baby and the nutritional content of breast milk. Method: The descriptive study was conducted between March and November 2023 in a hospital in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Turkey. The study sample consisted of 96 mothers and ibabies. Anthropometric measurements of mothers and babies and the nutrient content of breast milk were evaluated on the first postpartum day, Days 5 and 15. Breast milk macronutrient content was analyzed by Miris milk analyzer and body composition of mothers was analyzed by TANITA BC 730. Results: From the weight and body composition of the mothers in the study group; a positive correlation was found between body fat, muscle and water ratio, and breast milk carnonhydrate and protein (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the gestational age of the baby and the content of breast milk (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the weight and height of the babies and the macronutrients of breast milk (p < 0.05). Conclusion: As the weight of mothers increases, breast milk protein and carbohydrate levels increase. As breast milk macronutrients increase, babies' weight and height increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to advance our understanding of how observed child self-regulation, parenting, and their interaction were associated with children's dynamic physiological stress reactivity indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) reactivity trajectories. Participants were 85 three-year-old children (54% female) and their mothers oversampled for lower income, higher stressful life events, and higher child maltreatment risk. Child behavioral regulation, assessed as compliance and noncompliance, and maternal supportive parenting were observed during a challenging dyadic puzzle task. Results showed that child RSA exhibited quadratic change across the task on average, characterized by an expected initial decrease and subsequent recovery. Child behavioral regulation and its interaction with maternal supportive parenting were associated with interindividual differences in child RSA reactivity trajectories after controlling for child resting RSA. Children with higher compliance or lower noncompliance showed RSA decreases in response to task stressors but exhibited subsequent RSA recovery only when mothers displayed higher supportive parenting. Children with lower compliance or higher noncompliance displayed negligible RSA changes overall across the task, suggesting blunted or compromised RSA reactivity, regardless of supportive parenting levels. These findings demonstrate novel evidence that preschoolers' better behavioral regulation is related to their more adaptive physiological reactivity to stressors and that supportive parenting is needed to facilitate physiological recovery even in relatively better-regulated preschoolers. Public Significance Statement: This study demonstrates that during challenging mother–preschooler interactions, preschoolers who exhibit better behavioral regulation with mothers and experience higher levels of supportive parenting show the most adaptive physiological reactivity to stressors and efficient physiological recovery after stressors have passed. Child self-regulation and parenting in challenging interactions are potential intervention targets to promote adaptive physiology and behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the extent to which dynamic coupling of (a) maternal sensitivity and (b) children's responsive and assertive behaviors toward mothers during a semistructured play session predicts children's responsive and assertive behavior toward an unfamiliar peer at 39 months and a close friend at 58 and 66 months. Maternal and child behaviors were rated in 30-s epochs during play when children were 32 months old (Time 1; N = 128; 66 girls). Children were rated on their responsiveness and assertiveness toward an unfamiliar peer in the early preschool years (Time 2) and toward a friend in the late preschool years (Time 3). Residual dynamic structural equation models showed that stronger positive contemporaneous coupling of maternal sensitivity and children's responsiveness in a given 30-s epoch of the play session predicted greater observed responsiveness toward a friend in the late preschool years, after controlling for mean levels of maternal sensitivity and child responsiveness. On the other hand, positive contemporaneous coupling of maternal sensitivity and child assertiveness predicted children's higher levels of observed assertiveness toward an unfamiliar peer in the early preschool years, after controlling for mean levels of maternal sensitivity and child assertiveness. Results suggest that the dynamic coupling of specific positive behaviors during mother–child interaction may provide children with social scripts to draw on in diverse peer contexts. Public Significance Statement: This study identifies mother–child interaction patterns in toddlerhood that shape children's behaviors with their peers in the preschool years. Findings can inform interventions designed to promote children's social competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the contribution of early vs. concurrent maternal guidance of emotion dialogues with their children to the security and coherence of the children's attachment representations as adolescents. Maternal Sensitive Guidance was assessed from mother-child emotion dialogues when participants were preschoolers (approximate age 4 years) and young adolescents (approximate age 12.5 years), along with an assessment of adolescents' attachment representations using the Friends and Family Interview (FFI). Mothers' Sensitive Guidance in preschool predicted adolescents' coherence in the FFI, secure maternal (but not paternal) representations, and a positive representation of sibling relationships. In contrast, mothers' concurrent Sensitive Guidance was related only to adolescents' sibling relationships. These results highlight the significance of mothers' sensitive guidance of emotion dialogues during the early years for their children's later attachment representations, and point to the need for further examination of mothers' role when they guide emotion dialogues with their adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incongruent perceptions of parental emotional expressivity between parents and adolescents may signify relational challenges, potentially impacting adolescents' socioemotional adjustment. Direct evidence is still lacking and father-adolescent discrepancies are overlooked. This study employed a multi-informant design to investigate whether both mother-adolescent and father-adolescent discrepancies in perceptions of parental expressivity are related to adolescents' mental well-being, specifically focusing on loneliness and depression. Analyzing data from 681 families (mean age of adolescents = 15.5 years old, 51.2% girls, 40% only-children) in China revealed that adolescents tended to perceive paternal and maternal emotional expressivity more negatively than their parents, particularly fathers. Polynomial regression and response surface analysis showed significant links between parent-adolescent congruence and incongruence and adolescent loneliness. (In)Congruence between adolescents and mothers or fathers predicted later adolescent depression, mediated by adolescent loneliness and varied by the dimension of emotional expressivity. These findings provide insights into the roles of mothers' and fathers' emotional expressivity in shaping children's mental well-being during adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mother-to-infant bonding (MIB) is foundational for nurturing behaviors and an infant's development. Identifying risk factors for difficulties or problems in MIB is vital. However, traditional research often dichotomizes MIB using cutoff thresholds, overlooking its underlying complexities. This research utilizes latent profile analysis (LPA) to discern MIB subtypes in a nationwide Japanese dataset. Methods: We conducted LPA on data from the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS), collected from 3,877 postpartum women within one year of childbirth. To empirically validate the derived profiles, we examined their associated risk factors, focusing on sociodemographic, health, and perinatal variables. Results: Four distinct MIB profiles emerged. Profile 1 indicated minimal difficulties, while Profile 4 exhibited severe multifaceted difficulties. Profiles 2 and 3 showed moderate difficulties distinguished by lack of positive affection and presence of negative affection (especially indifference), respectively. Compared to Profile 1, women in Profiles 2–4 had a higher likelihood of postpartum depression and low family support. Each profile also presented unique risk factors: medium family support in Profile 2, maternal working status in Profile 3, and pre-pregnancy underweight status in Profile 4. Notably, both Profiles 3 and 4 were also linked to increased feelings of loneliness since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: This study represents the first application of LPA to MIB, revealing distinct subtypes and their respective risk profiles. These insights promise to enhance and personalize early interventions for difficulties in MIB, affirming the necessity of acknowledging MIB's heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the prevalence of emotional and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) across pregnancy and the first year postpartum in those with and without clinical depression and assess the association between maternal childhood trauma, current stressful life events and depression and IPV over the perinatal period. Methods: Data were obtained from 505 pregnant women from the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study (MPEWS), a cohort study with data collected across pregnancy until 12 months postpartum. Maternal antenatal depression was measured using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) with repeat measurement of perinatal depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Trauma was measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and experiences of physical and emotional intimate partner violence using items in the Stressful Life Events Scale. Results: Women experiencing IPV across the perinatal period were significantly more likely to score over 13 on the EPDS (p <.001) at each timepoint in pregnancy and the postpartum and physical IPV was associated with clinical depression. Further, a history of childhood trauma and current additional stressful life events were significantly associated with reporting current IPV in the perinatal period. Conclusions: This study confirmed the risk factors of childhood trauma and current stressful life events for reporting experiences of IPV in the perinatal period. Furthermore, women experiencing IPV reported higher depressive symptoms, providing evidence supporting the value of assessing those women who screen higher on the EPDS for IPV. Together these findings also support trauma informed care across pregnancy and the postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No increased risk of postpartum major depression (PPMD) was reported in women conceiving through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). However, ART may be associated with a higher risk of parenting difficulties in women with PPMD. In 359 women with a PPMD admitted to a Mother-Baby Unit (MBU), ART-women (4.2%) showed a 5-fold higher rate of parenting difficulties than those with spontaneous pregnancy (73.33% vs. 35.17%, multivariate ORa = 5.09 [1.48–17.48] p = 0.01). Specific support for mother-child relationship should be implemented in ART-women with PPMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational surrogacy is ethically complex, generating very different responses in law and policy worldwide. This paper argues that contemporary surrogacy law and policy, across many jurisdictions, fail to give sufficient attention to the significance of the relationship between the child and the gestational surrogate. This failure risks repeating the mistakes of historical, discredited approaches to adoption and donor‐assisted conception. This paper argues that proper recognition of the significance of gestation must be an organising principle in surrogacy law and policy. The paper begins by pointing to examples of surrogacy law and practice where the role of the gestator is unacceptably minimised, most notably the framing of the surrogate as a mere 'carrier'. It goes on to examine the nature of gestation, including consideration of contemporary scholarship on the metaphysics of pregnancy and emerging work in epigenetics, and argues that current evidence supports the view that the gestational relationship must be taken more seriously than it currently is. The paper then draws analogies with parenthood in donor‐assisted conception and adoption to argue that approaches to parental status in novel family formations that fail to promote transparency and seek to deny the truth of familial relationships are doomed to fail. The paper concludes by suggesting some implications for law and policy that flow from placing sufficient emphasis on the gestational role. The overarching thesis of this paper is that gestational surrogacy is ethically permissible when these fundamental requirements are adhered to, and that surrogacy law should proceed on this basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the acceptance and awareness of mothers with children with special needs regarding their children's special situation. A qualitative exploratory approach was employed in this study. Between November 2023 and January 2024, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 22 mothers of children with special needsFour primary themes emerged from the mothers included in the study regarding their acceptance and awareness of their children's special situation: Challenges, Transformation, Adaptation, and Mistakes. The Challenges theme encompasses the child who deviates from expectations, lack of information, stigma, lack of support, burden of care, inadequacy, and guilt. The Transformation theme encompasses the concept of the special child, increased responsibilities, attitude toward the social environment, and normal means of blessing. The Adaptation theme encompasses the sub-themes of treatment and care, family dynamics, spirituality, and social. The Mistakes theme encompasses the sub-themes of dependency on the child, dependency of the child, and allowing secondary gain. The parents demonstrated a willingness to accept and be aware of their children's special condition, which facilitated the process of transformation and adaptation. In order for parents to undergo the transformation process more expeditiously, it is necessary to enhance their acceptance and awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daylong recordings provide an ecologically valid option for analyzing language input, and have become a central method for studying child language development. However, the vast majority of this work has been conducted in North America. We harnessed a unique collection of daylong recordings from Slovenian infants (age: 16–30 months, N = 40, 18 girls), and focus our attention on manually annotated measures of parentese (infant‐directed speech with a higher pitch, slower tempo, and exaggerated intonation), conversational turns, infant words, and word combinations. Measures from daylong recordings showed large variation, but were comparable to previous studies with North American samples. Infants heard almost twice as much speech and parentese from mothers compared to fathers, but there were no differences in language input to boys and girls. Positive associations were found between the social‐interactional features of language input (parentese, turn‐taking) and infants' concurrent language production. Measures of child speech from daylong recordings were positively correlated with measures obtained through the Slovenian MacArthur‐Bates Communicative Development Inventory. These results support the notion that the social‐interactional features of parental language input are the foundation of infants' language skills, even in an environment where infants spend much of their waking hours in childcare settings, as they do in Slovenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caregivers are instrumental in the development of infant emotion regulation; however, few studies have focused on delineating the real‐time effectiveness of strategies that caregivers use to reduce infant distress. It is also unclear whether certain caregiver traits facilitate engagement in more successful regulation strategies. This study addressed these gaps by: (1) examining the differential effectiveness of maternal regulatory attempts (MRAs; behavioral strategies initiated by mothers to assist infants with regulating emotional states) in reducing 12‐ to 24‐month‐old infants' frustration during a toy removal task; and (2) assessing whether maternal mind‐mindedness (mothers' attunement to their infant's mental state) predicted mothers' selection of MRAs. Multilevel modeling revealed that distraction and control were the most effective MRAs in reducing infant negative affect across 5‐s intervals (N = 82 dyads; M infant age = 18 months; 45 females). Greater use of non‐attuned mind‐related speech predicted less engagement in effective MRAs, supporting a link between caregivers' socio‐cognitive skills and provision of in‐the‐moment regulation support. These findings highlight the value of considering caregiver regulatory behaviors as a target for elucidating how maternal socialization of emotion regulation occurs in real‐time. They also underscore mothers' important role as socializing agents in the development of this foundational developmental ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different initiatives have been implemented along with the results from and recommendations of multiple international meetings to improve breastfeeding. The most common interventions to improve breastfeeding are education and counseling. Although studies are reporting that breastfeeding education and counseling programs improve breastfeeding results, the lack of breastfeeding rates to reach the targeted levels suggests that there is a requirement for a different approach. In addition to these results, a paradigm shift in education and counseling, which are the most frequently used methods to improve breastfeeding, is necessary. Hence, the philosophy of HypnoBreastfeeding has emerged. This study addresses the origin and development of HypnoBreastfeeding philosophy, its concepts, and the correlations between the concepts and the relevant philosophical claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to explore mothers' experiences of children with autism using a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 parents with children attending a special education centre in a northern province of Turkey. Criterion sampling, a form of purposive sampling, was employed to select participants. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the data, and the study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting qualitative research. As a result of analyses, three main themes (the process of diagnosis, the effect of the child's illness on parents and their challenges over time, and considerations regarding the child's educational journey) and eight sub-themes (feelings and thoughts, reflections on the causes, reactions encountered, emotional effects, social effects, physical effects, perception of social support, and expectations from the educator and the education process) emerged. The study concluded that mothers of children with autism are emotionally, physically, and socially impacted by their child's condition, facing considerable challenges in coping. In light of these findings, it is recommended that policymakers in our country develop plans that address the difficulties expressed by participants, review and potentially enhance financial and social support for families, and consider increasing special education hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current study was aimed at constructing a questionnaire for evaluating the role of variant environmental factors on language acquisition in the three surrounding levels of communication that include familial level, preschool or nursery level, and surrounding social environmental level among children with delayed language development (DLD) due to environmental deprivation. The current study was a retrospective case–control study that was performed on 100 Egyptian Arabic-speaking children aged from 2 to 5 years. The study was carried out among preschool age children in the Mansoura governmental and private preschools (53 males and 47 females). They were divided into 2 groups: Group I (case group) consisted of 50 children with DLD due to environmental deprivation, and group II (control group) consisted of 50 typically developed children. Results: The present study demonstrated several factors for prediction of DLD due to environmental deprivation. Univariable analysis revealed multiple factors as number of hours that parents present at home, time of the mother's job, the relation between the child and the mother, the parents select certain time to talk and play with their child, joint attention of the mother, mother asking her child what he wants, long time using multimedia, divorce as a traumatic stress, bad social performance, and low socioeconomic status. Multivariate analysis revealed that longer time of the mother's job and less time the mother select to talk and play with her child were the environmental deprivation factors which had the most precipitating effect on predicting DLD. Conclusions: The constructed Arabic questionnaire was proved to be valid, reliable, and homogenous and is likely to produce consistent responses in evaluating the variant environmental factors on language development among children with DLD due to environmental deprivation in the three surrounding communications levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality driven by Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems (BIS/BAS) can significantly influence self-esteem. Humans form self-esteem during social interactions; thus, social relationships may be a critical mediator. This study aims to systematically explore the role of social relationships in these relations among emerging adults. The essential social relationships of emerging adults, including mother-child, father-child, and peer relationships, were examined. Participants (N = 967, M age = 19.16, 420 females) completed self-reported measures for BIS/BAS, social relationships, and self-esteem. The results demonstrate the mediating effect of social relationships: BIS was negatively related to all social relationships, which were further related to lower self-esteem; BAS was positively related to mother-child and peer relationships, which were further related to higher self-esteem. Moreover, the mother-child relationship emerged as a mediator linking BIS/BAS and father-child and peer relationships in the two models, indicating the unique contribution of mother-child interactions in Chinese emerging adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is strongly associated with obesity. Autonomous motivation and self‐efficacy, key concepts of self‐determination theory, may influence SSB consumption. Low‐income mothers of young children experience disproportionate rates of obesity. Whether autonomous motivation and self‐efficacy are associated with SSB consumption in low‐income mothers of young children is unknown. This exploratory secondary data analysis explored whether autonomous motivation or self‐efficacy were associated with SBB consumption using data from a lifestyle intervention for low‐income, overweight or obese mothers with young children. Participants (N = 311) completed surveys assessing autonomous motivation, self‐efficacy, and SSB consumption at baseline, after the 16‐week intervention, and at 3‐month follow‐up. Using baseline data, we performed linear regression models to explore associations of self‐efficacy and autonomous motivation with SSB consumption. We also performed mixed effects models to explore whether autonomous motivation or self‐efficacy were associated with SSB consumption over time. At baseline, a one‐point increase in autonomous motivation and self‐efficacy were associated with 4.36 (p < 0.001) and 6.43 (p = 0.025) fewer ounces of SSB consumption per day, respectively. In longitudinal models, SSB consumption decreased over time. Change in SSB consumption was associated with self‐efficacy (B = −4.88; p = 0.015) and autonomous motivation (B = −2.29; p = 0.008). Our findings suggest self‐efficacy and autonomous motivation may influence SSB consumption among mothers of young children with overweight and obesity. Further investigation should explore if self‐efficacy and autonomous motivation have long‐term effects on SSB consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the acoustic characteristics of Infant Directed Speech (IDS) in North American English indicates that it is generally higher-pitched than Adult Directed Speech (ADS) and has unique prosodic characteristics, which is commonly found across many spoken languages. However, very little research has addressed another important aspect of prosody: voice quality. In the current study, 25 English-speaking mothers from Canada were recorded speaking to their infant children and to an adult peer. Five acoustic measures of voice quality, including glottal constriction, spectral tilt, Harmonic-to-Noise Ratio (HNR), and Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP), were analyzed. Only CPP, a measure of the breathiness of a speaker's voice, and corrected H1-A2, a measure of vocal creakiness, were found to be significantly different between the IDS and ADS registers. Sociolinguistic research identifies voice quality as a key indicator of speech style and persona; we connect the pattern of breathiness in IDS to a possible "parental persona" that builds on the affective intent of IDS (rather than the pedagogical intent), with suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing literature on the importance of maternal responsiveness and the growing body of literature supporting early ethnic-racial cultural socialization highlight the need for an observational measure of how they co-occur during mother–child interactions. This study presents the development and initial validation of the Culturally Affirming and Responsive Experiences (CARE) measure, an observational measure of the presence and quality of responsiveness and ethnic-racial cultural socialization within early mother–child interactions. Pilot study results with 103 racially and ethnically diverse mother–child dyads demonstrated initial reliability and validity of the CARE measure. Implications of applying the CARE measure to early mother–child interactions to assess quality of responsiveness and ethnic-racial cultural socializations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Evaluation of the impact of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevention program that incorporates maternal antiviral prophylaxis on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is limited using real-world data. Methods We analyzed data on maternal HBV screening, neonatal immunization, and post-vaccination serologic testing (PVST) for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among at-risk infants born to HBV carrier mothers from the National Immunization Information System during 2008–2022. Through linkage with the National Health Insurance Database, information on maternal antiviral therapy was obtained. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore MTCT risk in relation to infant–mother characteristics and prevention strategies. Results In total, 2 460 218 deliveries with maternal HBV status were screened. Between 2008 and 2022, the annual HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seropositivity rates among native pregnant women decreased from 12.2% to 2.6% and from 2.7% to 0.4%, respectively (P for both trends <.0001). Among the 22 859 at-risk infants who underwent PVST, the MTCT rates differed between infants born to HBsAg-positive/HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive mothers (0.75% and 6.33%, respectively; P <.001). MTCT risk increased with maternal HBeAg positivity (odds ratio [OR], 9.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.79–12.73) and decreased with maternal antiviral prophylaxis (OR, 0.28; 95% CI,.16–.49). For infants with maternal HBeAg positivity, MTCT risk was associated with mothers born in the immunization era (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.17–1.67). Conclusions MTCT was related to maternal HBeAg positivity and effectively prevented by maternal prophylaxis in the immunized population. At-risk infants born to maternal vaccinated cohorts might possibly pose further risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractHaving a hopeful mindset is believed to enable adaptation but much of the pertinent research was cross-sectional, focused on convenient samples, and examined normal circumstances. It is unclear whether hope can predict beneficial outcomes over time among people living in challenging life conditions, such as those in low-income families with protracted financial insecurity. We report a longitudinal study where hope and several psychological outcomes – reported health, self-esteem, and emotional distress – were measured three times across 12 months in mothers and their children in families on financial assistance in Singapore. The results were mixed as to hope’s adaptation effectiveness. Hope positively predicted reported health and self-esteem but not emotional distress over time among the children. It did not predict any outcome among the mothers. Hence, hope can be a resource that could enable children in these families to thrive, but its longer-term benefits for mothers appear less straightforward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Background Method Results Conclusion This study examined trends in child support receipt and regularity in the U.S. from 1996 to 2018, as well as whether inequality in these child support outcomes has grown by mothers' education, marital status, and race.Child support from noncustodial fathers is an important income source for custodial mothers. Yet, many custodial mothers do not receive any child support or receive irregular payments. Demographic, economic, and policy changes over the past 20 years suggest custodial mothers' child support receipt, and especially regular receipt, may be declining, particularly among socioeconomically‐disadvantaged mothers.Using nationally‐representative data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, this study describes trends in child support receipt and regularity among custodial mothers (N = 11,456). Regression models were used to examine maternal and household characteristics associated with child support receipt and regularity and to examine how gaps in child support receipt and regularity by maternal characteristics have changed over time.Child support receipt and regularity declined by nearly 30% between 1996 and 2018. Any receipt, and especially regular receipt, declined by a larger margin for less‐educated and never married mothers relative to higher‐educated and married mothers, respectively.Growing gaps in child support receipt and regularity by mothers' education and marital status likely contribute to economic inequality, highlighting the need for reforms in child support policy and the social safety net. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the practice of child removal and colonial subjugation in Australia, Canada, French Indochina, and the United States from 1870 to the 1950s. It discusses specific cases of child removal, such as the separation of mixed-race children from their mothers in Indochina and the removal of Aboriginal children in Australia. The article argues that child removal was a common strategy used by colonial governments to control colonial subjects and maintain social order. It also explores the influence of global social movements and the exchange of ideas between colonial administrations. The article emphasizes the importance of comparative and collaborative research in understanding the global nature of child removal as a tool of colonial rule. [Extracted from the article]

BackgroundAimMethodsResultsConclusionsThe mother-child bond may be related to maternal health, especially postpartum depression (PPD). Existing studies show the need for further in-depth research on the subject.To determine the relationship between bonding and the probability of the development and presence of PPD in women with a biological child between 6 weeks and 18 months of age.A cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health variables referring to the mother and the newborn, a questionnaire measuring the mother-child bond (VAMF-bond), and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EDPS) were administered.1114 women participated. The association between the items of the VAMF-bond subscale and the risk of PPD was statistically significant for all items (p < 0.05), except items 4 and 10. The multivariate analysis showed that the risk of PPD (EPDS scale) was lower in women with higher scores on bond (Adjusted Odds Ratio: aOR = 0.85; 95%CI: 0.81, 0.88), whose birth experience was good or very good (aOR = 0.57; 95%CI: 0.36, 0.89), who received high or very high support from their partner (aOR = 0.34; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.66), and family (aOR = 0.53; 95%CI: 0.32, 0.86). The presence of PPD was less frequent in women who presented higher scores for bond (aOR = 0.90; 95%CI: 0.84, 0.97), who had skin-to-skin contact (aOR = 0.39; 95%CI: 0.17, 0.93) and who received high or very high support from the family (aOR = 0.36; 95%CI: 0.12, 1.04).High scores on the subscale VAMF-bond were associated with a lower risk of PPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective • This study aimed to assess the impact of metformin treatment on clinical parameters (blood glucose, inflammation, hormone levels) and outcomes for both mothers and infants in cases of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods • A comparative study with a retrospective cohort design was conducted. A total of 96 patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus over the past three years in our hospital were included. The participants were divided into two groups: a control group receiving insulin treatment and a study group receiving metformin treatment. We compared the clinical effects between the two groups. Results • After treatment, the levels of postprandial 2-hour blood glucose, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin significantly improved in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels. Moreover, the study group exhibited superior outcomes compared to the control group (P < .05). The levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) demonstrated improvement in both groups, with the study group outperforming the control group (P < .05). Additionally, the levels of Cystatin C (CysC) and Homocysteine (Hcy) in both groups improved post-treatment, with the study group showing better results than the control group (P < .05). Notably, the study group exhibited a lower incidence of adverse outcomes than the control group (P < .05). Conclusions • Metformin therapy demonstrated a significant clinical impact on gestational diabetes mellitus. Compared to insulin therapy, metformin showed superior effects on blood glucose, inflammation, hormone levels, and maternal and infant outcomes, suggesting its adoption for patient consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expectant mothers susceptible to emotional shifts during pregnancy, such as depression, underwent a perinatal phase. Within the first year after giving birth, 10-15% of women experienced specific depressive symptoms. This situation could harm the mother-child relationship. The purpose of this study was to characterize the traits of mothers who might have experienced prenatal depression at Muhammadiyah Gresik Hospital. Purposive sampling and Spearman's rank test analytics were applied to pregnant women between 20 weeks gestation and one month postpartum. Pregnant women with a history of acute medical problems and mental or psychological disorders were excluded. Out of 47 respondents, 59.6% were at risk of perinatal depression. The characteristics studied included religion, ethnicity, maternal age, educational level, employment status, family income, number of children, mode of delivery, complications during delivery, and depression history. Maternal age (r=-0.314, p=0.032*), employment status (r=0.346, p=0.016*), parity (r=-0.410, p=0.004*), and most recent delivery (r=-0.329, p=0.024*) showed significant correlations with the likelihood of perinatal depression. Maternal age, parity, and mode of delivery had negative correlations, while employment status had a positive correlation. The results of this study can be used as screening tools to identify mothers at risk of perinatal depression. Additionally, it proposes a prenatal and delivery counseling intervention program for both expectant mothers and unemployed women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the associations between maternal parenting stress and children's social competence, along with potential moderated mediation mechanisms within Chinese parent-grandparent co-parenting families. The study involved 412 mothers of children aged 3–6 years, who completed questionnaires assessing parenting stress, the quality of the parent-child relationship, the co-parenting relationship with grandparents, and their children's social competence. The results revealed: (1) a negative correlation between maternal parenting stress and children's social competence; (2) mediation of the link between maternal parenting stress and children's social competence by the mother-child relationship; and (3) a moderating effect of the mother-grandparent co-parenting relationship on the relationship between maternal parenting stress and the parent-child relationship. However, no direct moderating effect of the mother-grandparent co-parenting relationship on the association between parenting stress and children's social competence was detected. These findings highlight the significance of considering the co-parenting context in examining the correlations between maternal parenting stress and children's social competence. Highlights: Maternal parenting stress was negatively linked with children's social competence in Chinese intergenerational co-parenting families. The mother-child relationship mediated the link between maternal parenting stress and children's social competence. Mother-grandparent co-parenting has a moderating effect on the mother-child relationship but not on social competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]