A prenatal group based phone counseling intervention to improve breastfeeding rates and complementary feeding: a randomized, controlled pilot and feasibility trial

Background Despite numerous benefits for both mom and baby, few infants are exclusively breastfed for the recommended first six months. Additionally, infants are given solids too early. Prenatal education increases rates of breastfeeding initiation and we hypothesize it can also improve exclusive breastfeeding rates and prevent the early introduction of solids. We conducted a randomized controlled pilot and feasibility trial to understand the feasibility and maternal acceptance of a prenatal behavioral lifestyle intervention (PBLI) delivered via group based phone counseling (GBPC) and its effectiveness on rates of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months postpartum. Secondary aims included rates of any breastfeeding up to six months, rates of early introduction of solids, and infant feeding progression. Methods Forty-one pregnant women were recruited from a Kansas City Metropolitan Obstetrics and Gynecology office and randomly assigned to a usual care group or a PBLI. Women in the PBLI participated in six GBPC sessions where they learned about breastfeeding and introducing solids. Feeding questionnaires to assess breastfeeding and introduction of solids were sent at two weeks, two months, four months, and six months postpartum. Structured interviews were also conducted after the intervention and at six months postpartum to assess maternal acceptance and intervention feasibility. Results Participants overwhelmingly found the intervention acceptable and beneficial. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding did not differ between groups at any time point. No between group differences were found for early introduction of solids or infant feeding progression. Conclusions Mothers discontinue breastfeeding earlier than recommended despite high rates of initiation. A PBLI delivered via GBP is feasible, acceptable to participants, and showed positive impacts such as maternal empowerment for both breastfeeding and introducing solids. Future interventions should incorporate both prenatal and postpartum components. Trial registration Study protocols were approved by the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Human Subjects Committee (STUDY00140506) and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 02/22/2018 (NCT03442517, retrospectively registered). All participants gave written informed consent prior to data collection.

Couple relationship satisfaction: The role of recollection of parental acceptance, self-differentiation, and spousal caregiving

The actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) was employed in this study to investigate the mediating effect self-differentiation and spousal caregiving have on the relationship between recollection of parental care and acceptance and couple satisfaction. One hundred and forty-four non-clinical couples (N = 288) in enduring relationships were recruited. Results for actor effects revealed two mediating paths whereby, among both partners, recollection of maternal (but not paternal) acceptance was associated with their self-differentiation and responsive spousal caregiving, which, in turn, were linked to their spousal relationship satisfaction. Partner effects revealed three mediating paths: for both partners, recollection of childhood maternal acceptance was associated with responsive caregiving, which, in turn, was linked with their partner’s relationship satisfaction. Interestingly, the husbands’ recollection of maternal acceptance was associated with their partners’ responsive spousal caregiving, which was linked to both spouses’ relationship satisfaction. Our results may support the theoretical assumptions regarding intergenerational continuity from perceptions of childhood via self-differentiation effecting couple caregiving to couple relationship, but only on the mother’s part.

Examining the Relationships among Cognitive Ability, Domain-Specific Self-Concept, and Behavioral Self-Esteem of Gifted Children Aged 5–6 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

Although childhood is a critical period of development during which all children begin a lifelong process of self-discovery that shapes their identities, few studies have focused on the self-concept and self-esteem of young, gifted children. This study recruited 108 gifted children aged 5–6 years from Greece and their preschool teachers to explore the relationships among cognitive ability, domain-specific self-concepts, and global self-esteem. The Pictorial Scale for Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance was used to assess the domain-specific self-concepts of the participants, whereas behavioral manifestations of self-esteem were rated by the children’s teachers using the Behavioral Academic Self-Esteem Scale. There were positive correlations among IQ, perceived scholastic competence, and global self-esteem. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that significant predictors of global self-esteem were male gender, higher IQ, perceived scholastic competence, and perceived maternal acceptance. Additionally, there were gender differences in global self-esteem and perceived physical competence in favor of boys, whereas perceived maternal acceptance favored girls. This article discusses the need for practitioners working with gifted children to enact a comprehensive social–emotional learning curriculum in schools that promotes academic as well as personal and character strengths. Finally, the limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are also presented.

Relations Between Bicultural Attitudes, Paternal Versus Maternal Acceptance, and Psychological Adjustment of Ethnic Minority Youth in Bangladesh

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of perceived paternal and maternal acceptance on the bicultural orientations and psychological adjustment of ethnic-minority young adults in Bangladesh. The study was based on a sample of 412 young adults (mean age 22 years), consisting of 40% women and 60% men from 18 tribal subgroups in Bangladesh. Measures used were Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ), Bicultural Attitude Scale (BAS) and Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ). Results showed that there are significant positive correlations between perceived parental (paternal and maternal) acceptance, heritage culture, and psychological adjustment of the respondents. Results further showed that perceived paternal acceptance has independent and stronger effect than perceived maternal acceptance on the bicultural orientations and psychological adjustment of the minority young adults in Bangladesh.

Characteristics of Maternal Attitude linked to Values-Based

Objective. Finding out the characteristics of maternal attitude towards adolescents in relation to their gender, family composition and place of living, as well as to value orientations of the adolescents. Background. Taking in account the ongoing discussions on the upbringing role of the family and growing interest to the phenomena of modern childhood and parenting revealing of the main aspects of child-parent relations and their influence on value orientations of adolescents seems to be important. Study design. Maternal attitude (within its measurements of emotional involvement and overprotection) in relation to value orientations of modern adolescents was investigated. Main statistical procedures used were exploratory factor analysis and correlation analysis. Participants. The survey was undertaken on the sample of 7384 adolescents (mean age 16,3, 42% male) living in several Federal Regions of Russia. Measurements. Russian-language version of PBI (Parental Bonding Inventory) questionnaire, author’s scale “Proverbs”. Results. According to the obtained results the evaluation given to maternal attitude by the adolescents is significantly related to their gender, family structure and place of living. Higher estimates of maternal acceptance are positively correlated with adolescents’ values-based orientations linked to justice, support and diligence. Contrarily, the subjects who described their mothers like overprotecting were more inclined to the mindset based on self-adjustment, gaining personal beneficiaries and strong self-centration. Conclusions. There is a significant relation between maternal attitude and value orientations of modern adolescents.

Intrapersonal Emotional Intelligence during Adolescence: Sex Differences, Connection with other Variables, and Predictors

This study explores Intrapersonal Emotional Intelligence (IEI) with the objectives of: (1) analyzing possible differences due to sex and age, and the request for psychological assistance for behavioral and emotional problems; (2) finding evidence of personality traits, social behaviors, and parental socialization styles that are characteristic of adolescents with low IEI; and (3) identifying variables that predict high IEI. The sample comprised 2283 participants aged 12–17 years from the Basque Country (northern Spain). Results: (1) Females had greater emotional attention capacity but there were no sex differences in emotional comprehension and emotion regulation; (2) adolescents aged 12–14 showed higher scores in comprehension and emotion regulation than those aged 15–17; (3) adolescents who consulted a psychologist for problems (anxiety, depression, violence, etc.) had lower emotion regulation; (4) adolescents with low IEI had less empathy, self-esteem, extroversion, openness, agreeableness, and responsibility, and lower use of cooperative and passive conflict-resolution strategies, and their parents had a low level of acceptance-affection towards their children. They also engaged in more bullying/cyberbullying and antisocial behaviors. (5) High IEI predictor variables were: using cooperative conflict-resolution strategies; traits such as extroversion, responsibility, openness, and empathy; and a high level of maternal acceptance-affection. The work identifies relevant variables for designing intervention programs and shows the importance of promoting IEI and interpersonal emotional intelligence as a factor in the development and prevention of bullying/cyberbullying.

Gene expression of FOXP3, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), IL10 and CSF1 in the uterus of cows that received an intrauterine infusion of maternal and paternal antigens

Sensitization with conceptus antigens has been shown to be useful for improving reproductive performance facilitating maternal acceptance of an allogeneic embryo through the induction of cytokines and immunoregulatory cells in the uterine microenvironment. As FOXP3, IDO, IL10 and CSF1 in the uterus are important on the recognition and development of embryos during early pregnancy, this study aimed to determine whether simultaneous or isolated administration of paternal (semen) and maternal (PBMCs) antigens in the uterus of cow, on the day of estrus, influence the gene expression of these cytokines. Forty crossbred cows were divided into four treatments: T0: Control; T1: Semen; T2: PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) from another cow and T3: PBMCs+Semen. Antigens were administered into the uterine body on the estrus day (D0). Uterine biopsies designed for molecular analysis of gene expression were collected in vivo seven (D7) and fourteen (D14) days after immunostimulation. Transcripts from FOXP3, IDO, IL-10 and CSF-1 were detected in all RNA samples extracted from uterine biopsies. The semiquantitative analysis showed that none of the treatments caused significant increase in the expression of these genes. Furthermore, on D14 all treatments led to a decline in the number of CSF-1 transcripts; moreover, treatment with PBMCs+Semen also led to a drop in the abundance of IL-10 transcripts. Such results suggest that isolated or simultaneous administration of both antigens would not increase maternal tolerance to embryo alloantigens, nor would it create favorable conditions to its growth and pre-implantation development, at least regarding the effects mediated by these genes on D7 and D14 of the estrous cycle.

Interethnic Prejudice Against Muslims Among White Dutch Children

Interethnic prejudice in children has been studied mostly in the United States, but less often in Europe, where the public discourse is increasingly negative about ethnic minorities, especially the Muslim minority. This study examined in-group favoritism (White preference) and out-group rejection of children of Middle Eastern descent (representing the Muslim minority) among White children in the Netherlands. Social preference for and rejection of children of Middle Eastern descent are compared with preference for and rejection of Black children. Social preference and rejection were measured using a task in which participants were presented with pictures of children with different ethnic appearances, and asked to select who they wanted to (not) play with, (not) sit next to, and invite for their birthday party. In addition, maternal implicit prejudice against people of Middle Eastern descent and explicit attitudes toward their children’s interethnic contact were assessed. The study included 140 children aged 6 to 8 years ( M = 7.26, SD = 0.77) and their mothers. The results reveal both in-group favoritism and out-group rejection. The Middle Eastern out-group was preferred less than the Black out-group. Reporting absolutely no reservations about children’s interethnic contact by mothers was associated with less rejection of children of Middle Eastern descent. Findings reveal that young children already show interethnic prejudice and that particularly people of Middle Eastern descent are devalued. The results show that maternal acceptance of child interethnic contact seems to play a role, and provide starting points for further investigation of the relation between parental and child interethnic attitudes.