The comparison of birth experience and temperament in preschool children
Date
1981
Authors
Hartwick, Dianne
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Abstract
This study compares preschool-aged Day Care children's temperament ratings, with their birth experience.
The specific etiology of temperament is, as yet, unknown. However, its profound influence on human behavioural style has been acknowledged and has been the subject of several research studies (Thomas & Chess, 1977; McDevitt & Carey, 1978; Persson-Blennow & McNeil, 1978; Stott & Latchford, 1976) in recent years. Investigations have shown the close relationship between childrens' temperamental traits and their approach to learning. This study examines the maternal and natal comfort factor during the birth experience, as a possible component in temperament formation.
There is an increasing awareness of the importance of the birth experience on mother and child. This author found no systematic research effort into the effects on development related to the psychological and physical comfort of mother and neonate during birth. This study attempts to systematically measure this comfort factor, in relationship to later temperament development in children.
Two questionnaire s we r e used for this research. The childrens' temperamental style was assessed by Day Care staff, using the Guide to the Child's Learning Skills (Stott, 1976) consisting of Prescreening and Diagnostic subscales. A special Birth Survey was developed specifically for the purposes of collecting data on comfort measures at birth. Information on this Survey was obtained retrospectively from the childrens' mothers.
Correlation analysis on all data indicated a significant relationship (p(.01) exists between three of the six subscales derived from the Birth Survey factor analysis and six Birth Survey items, and, the Prescreening GCLS score. The Diagnostic GCLS score correlated with three items on the Birth Survey, but none of the Birth Survey comfort subscales.
Results of the study supported the original hypothesis, that there is a relationship between comfort of the mother and neonate during birth, and temperament development in the child.