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The Welch Emotional Connection Screen: validation of a brief mother–infant relational health screen
Author(s) -
Hane Amie A.,
LaCoursiere Jasmine N.,
Mitsuyama Mai,
Wieman Sarah,
Ludwig Robert J.,
Kwon Katie Y.,
V. Browne Joy,
Austin Judy,
M. Myers Michael,
Welch Martha G.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.14483
Subject(s) - maternal sensitivity , developmental psychology , medicine , construct (python library) , eye contact , psychology , clinical psychology , computer science , programming language
Abstract Aim The Welch Emotional Connection Screen ( WECS ), assesses mother–infant Emotional Connection in clinical settings. It includes: Attraction, Vocal Communication, Facial Communication, Sensitivity/Reciprocity and clinical decision of Emotional Connection (yes/no). We tested concurrent and construct validity of the WECS and associations with behavioural and physiological measures in preterm infants. Methods Videos from 76 mothers–infants (gestational age 36 weeks) during an in‐ NICU caregiving paradigm were coded for maternal caregiving behaviour. Videos of mothers–infants were also obtained at 4 months during 10 minutes of face‐to‐face play (coded with WECS and for maternal positivity and infant social engagement) and the still‐face paradigm (coded for infant behavioural approach towards mother; infant electrocardiogram acquired in vivo ). Results WECS maternal scores were positively associated with maternal sensitivity and quality of vocal contact at 36 weeks (caregiving) and maternal positivity at 4 months (face‐to‐face). WECS infant scores positively correlated with infant social engagement and maternal positivity during face‐to‐face interactions at 4 months. Infants from emotionally not connected dyads (vs. emotionally connected dyads) displayed autonomic dysregulation and less approach‐seeking behaviour towards mother during interactive/play sessions of the still‐face paradigm. Conclusion This preliminary evidence supports the WECS as a valid screen for rating mother–preterm infant emotional connection associated with healthier infant biobehavioural stress responding.