Maternal confidence in China: Association with infant neurobehaviors but not sociodemographic variables

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relations of sociodemographic factors and infant neurobehaviors to maternal confidence in China. Methods: The Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, Family APGAR, and Maternal Confidence in Caring for the Newborn scales were administered to 40 healthy, full-term neonates. Results: Range and regulation of state, autonomic stability, and reflex cluster scores were positively correlated; the autonomic stability cluster score was negatively correlated with maternal confidence in meeting the infant's social and instrumental needs. Educational level, age, income, satisfaction with family conditions, and infant sex were not associated with maternal confidence. Range of state and autonomic stability cluster scores predicted maternal confidence. Conclusions: The infant's abilities to tolerate stimuli, and to be consoled, were associated with maternal confidence. Also, maternal confidence was related to the recognition of infant autonomic cues. Family and sociodemographic variables were not associated with maternal confidence. The sex of the newborn did not affect maternal confidence. © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.