Korean J Child Health Nurs.  2005 Jan;11(1):117-124.

The Effects of Sensory Stimulation on Mother-Infant Interaction, Maternal Self-Esteem and Infant Temperament

• Jang GJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory stimulation conducted by primiparas on mother-infant interaction, maternal self-esteem and infant temperament. METHOD: A non-equivalent control group post-test study design was used. The data were collected from December 1, 2001 to March 30, 2003. The participants were 39 primiparas with normal birth weight infants. They were divided into two groups, 20 mothers in the intervention group and 19 in the control group. The mothers in the intervention group were given instruction on sensory stimulation by the researcher, and the mothers, in turn, used this technique on their infants twice a day during the first 2 months of life. Both groups were measured for maternal self-esteem and infant temperament using the maternal self-report inventory (MSRI) and What My Baby Is Like (WBL) and a film was made of the feeding situation when each infant was between 8 and 10 weeks of age.
RESULTS
Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores in mother-infant interaction, maternal self-concept and infant temperament.
CONCLUSION
This suggests that sensory stimulation conducted by primiparas may improve the mother-infant interaction, maternal self-esteem and infant temperament.

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Humans
Infant*
Mother-Child Relations*
Mothers
Temperament*
Child Health