Origins of Infant Temperament in the Fetal Heart? Open Access

Pingeton, Blaire (Summer 2019)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/1831ck91w?locale=en
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Abstract

Infants’ temperament qualities are concurrently and prospectively associated with their functioning, into adulthood; thus, research of temperament’s precursors is vital for both understanding mechanisms by which temperament buffers and aggravates negative outcomes and developing efficacious preventive interventions. Biological processes involved in reactivity and regulation (i.e. heart rate, heart rate variability) are related to temperament, beginning in infancy. Findings linking fetal heart rate (FHR) and fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) with infant temperament are mixed and limited. The current study built on work assessing the developmental continuity of fetal-infant temperament by correcting methodological shortcomings and testing fetal coupling, a FHR-movement variable indexing parasympathetic nervous system development. Data derived from two longitudinal studies of prenatal/infant development in Atlanta, GA (Emory cohort) and NYC (Columbia cohort). In both studies, fetal data were collected in the 3rd trimester. Temperament data were collected at 3- and 4-months postnatal age, via three factors on the Infant Behavior Questionnaire—Revised (IBQ-R): Surgency (SUR), Negative Affectivity (NA) and Orienting/Regulation (REG). We tested the association between FHR, FHRV, coupling, and infant SUR, NA, and REG. Gestational age (GA) at the time of fetal data collection, GA at birth, and infant sex were tested and controlled for if needed. Results differed by site. In the Emory cohort, FHR was positively associated with REG, but not with NA or SUR; FHRV and coupling were not associated with any temperament variables. In the Columbia cohort, FHR was positively associated with NA, but not SUR or REG; FHRV (negatively) and coupling (positively) were associated with SUR and REG, but not NA. In this prospective, longitudinal study of data from two samples that differed in risks relevant to fetal development and temperament, we found mixed support for the hypotheses: three fetal heart indicators—FHR, FHRV, and coupling—were differentially related to the three infant temperament factors. The pattern of associations between fetal heart measures and infant temperament may suggest that fetal heart indices matter more in the prediction of temperament among pregnant women and infants who, on average, experience less depression and stress and are less economically resourced.

Table of Contents

I.            Introduction…………………………………………………….1

II.           Methods……………………………………………………….12

III.         Results………………………………………………………...18

IV.         Discussion…………………………………………………….22

V.           References…………………………………………………….30

VI.         Tables…………………………………………………………36

VII.       Appendix A…………………………………………………...54

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