2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF A PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF BRIEF ADMISSION TO AN EARLY PARENTING SERVICE ON MATERNAL MOOD AND INFANT BEHAVIOUR

Jane Fisher, Heather Rowe and Colin Feekery

Key Centre for Women's Health in Society, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne

jrwf@unimelb.edu.au

Objectives: To assess whether a brief admission to a private hospital early parenting service, which specialises in the care of unsettled infants, improves maternal psychological functioning and infant manageability in the short term.

Methods: All women admitted to the Masada Private Hospital Mother Baby Unit since February 2002 are being invited to participate in a three-stage self-report questionnaire survey. Participants complete questionnaires during admission and at one and six months post discharge. The questionnaires include assessments of sociodemographic factors, reproductive health, infant health, development and behaviour, past and present psychological functioning, quality of support and relationships and coincidental life events. They incorporates relevant standardised psychometric instruments and include repeated assessments of maternal psychological functioning, infant temperament and behaviour.

Results: Recruitment is continuing until a sample of 65 women has been obtained. The results of the admission assessment and the one month follow-up will be presented.

Conclusions: The findings of the study are expected to enhance understanding of the impact of treatment of unsettled infant behaviour on maternal confidence and psychological wellbeing.