Maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitis
Abstract Background Many studies have identified associations between qualities of maternal–child relationships and childhood asthma, but few have examined associations with childhood atopic dermatitis (AD), a common precursor to asthma. Moreover, maternal psychological distress, including prenatal...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-05-01
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| Series: | Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13223-017-0199-4 |
| _version_ | 1818190722382168064 |
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| author | Nicole L. Letourneau Anita L. Kozyrskyj Nela Cosic Henry N. Ntanda Lubna Anis Martha J. Hart Tavis S. Campbell Gerald F. Giesbrecht The APrON Team |
| author_facet | Nicole L. Letourneau Anita L. Kozyrskyj Nela Cosic Henry N. Ntanda Lubna Anis Martha J. Hart Tavis S. Campbell Gerald F. Giesbrecht The APrON Team |
| author_sort | Nicole L. Letourneau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Many studies have identified associations between qualities of maternal–child relationships and childhood asthma, but few have examined associations with childhood atopic dermatitis (AD), a common precursor to asthma. Moreover, maternal psychological distress, including prenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety and stress, may increase risk, while social support from partners may reduce risk for childhood AD. We sought to uncover the association between maternal–infant relationship qualities (maternal sensitivity towards infant behavioral signals, controlling behavior, and unresponsiveness) and child AD after accounting for risk (i.e., prenatal and postnatal maternal depression, anxiety and stress) and protective (i.e., social support) factors. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected on a subsample of 242 women and their infants enrolled during pregnancy in the ongoing Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition cohort study. Inclusion criteria required mothers to be >16 years of age, English speaking and <22 weeks gestational age at enrollment. Data on depression, anxiety and stress in the prenatal and postnatal periods and physician diagnosis of childhood AD at 18 months were gathered via maternal report. Maternal sensitivity, unresponsiveness and controlling behaviours were assessed via videotaped observations using the Child-Adult Relationship Experimental (CARE)-Index at 6 months of infant age. Results Higher maternal sensitivity, or the inability of the mother to appropriately understand and respond to infant needs based on behavioral signals, predicted reduced odds of AD independent of and in combination with low prenatal and postnatal anxiety and high paternal support. After adjustment, higher maternal controlling behaviours and unresponsiveness also predicted greater odds of AD. Conclusions Low maternal sensitivity is a risk factor for childhood AD, independently and in combination with perinatal anxiety and low social support. Thus, interventions that improve maternal–infant relationship quality, especially sensitivity, reduce anxiety and improve social support from partners could reduce odds of childhood AD. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:03:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ddb442dae7884e8c8b81b7fee661f42f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1710-1492 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:03:14Z |
| publishDate | 2017-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology |
| spelling | doaj.art-ddb442dae7884e8c8b81b7fee661f42f2022-12-22T00:45:10ZengBMCAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology1710-14922017-05-0113111410.1186/s13223-017-0199-4Maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitisNicole L. Letourneau0Anita L. Kozyrskyj1Nela Cosic2Henry N. Ntanda3Lubna Anis4Martha J. Hart5Tavis S. Campbell6Gerald F. Giesbrecht7The APrON TeamFaculty of Nursing, University of CalgaryDepartments of Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and School of Public Health, University of AlbertaFaculty of Nursing, University of CalgaryFaculty of Nursing, University of CalgaryFaculty of Nursing, University of CalgaryFaculty of Nursing, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychology, University of CalgaryCumming School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics & Community Health Sciences, University of CalgaryAbstract Background Many studies have identified associations between qualities of maternal–child relationships and childhood asthma, but few have examined associations with childhood atopic dermatitis (AD), a common precursor to asthma. Moreover, maternal psychological distress, including prenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety and stress, may increase risk, while social support from partners may reduce risk for childhood AD. We sought to uncover the association between maternal–infant relationship qualities (maternal sensitivity towards infant behavioral signals, controlling behavior, and unresponsiveness) and child AD after accounting for risk (i.e., prenatal and postnatal maternal depression, anxiety and stress) and protective (i.e., social support) factors. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected on a subsample of 242 women and their infants enrolled during pregnancy in the ongoing Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition cohort study. Inclusion criteria required mothers to be >16 years of age, English speaking and <22 weeks gestational age at enrollment. Data on depression, anxiety and stress in the prenatal and postnatal periods and physician diagnosis of childhood AD at 18 months were gathered via maternal report. Maternal sensitivity, unresponsiveness and controlling behaviours were assessed via videotaped observations using the Child-Adult Relationship Experimental (CARE)-Index at 6 months of infant age. Results Higher maternal sensitivity, or the inability of the mother to appropriately understand and respond to infant needs based on behavioral signals, predicted reduced odds of AD independent of and in combination with low prenatal and postnatal anxiety and high paternal support. After adjustment, higher maternal controlling behaviours and unresponsiveness also predicted greater odds of AD. Conclusions Low maternal sensitivity is a risk factor for childhood AD, independently and in combination with perinatal anxiety and low social support. Thus, interventions that improve maternal–infant relationship quality, especially sensitivity, reduce anxiety and improve social support from partners could reduce odds of childhood AD.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13223-017-0199-4Atopic dermatitisChildhoodMaternal–infant relationshipSensitivityResponsivenessControl |
| spellingShingle | Nicole L. Letourneau Anita L. Kozyrskyj Nela Cosic Henry N. Ntanda Lubna Anis Martha J. Hart Tavis S. Campbell Gerald F. Giesbrecht The APrON Team Maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitis Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology Atopic dermatitis Childhood Maternal–infant relationship Sensitivity Responsiveness Control |
| title | Maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitis |
| title_full | Maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitis |
| title_fullStr | Maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitis |
| title_short | Maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitis |
| title_sort | maternal sensitivity and social support protect against childhood atopic dermatitis |
| topic | Atopic dermatitis Childhood Maternal–infant relationship Sensitivity Responsiveness Control |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13223-017-0199-4 |
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