Attachment and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Premature Infants: The Role of Interpersonal Neurobiology in the NICU
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 R-CERP
- Learning Format: Webinar
- Handout: Yes
- Origin: GOLD Neonatal
Abstract:
Evidence has shown that attachment between a primary caregiver and their preterm infant can change the neurodevelopmental outcomes for the infant later in life. Attachment can be seen as a living organism between parent/caregiver and child, and with encouraged development and growth, the attachment relationship can have profound effects, even in the context of the most difficult of circumstances and medical diagnoses. The more NICU caregivers know how to encourage attachment, the likelier a family system will need less medical/psychological intervention after discharge from the hospital.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: Delegates will learn how mirror neurons function in infant brain development, as well as how kangaroo developmental care creates an environment specific to the success of premature infants in this regard;
Objective 2: Delegates will learn how traumatic memory is imprinted, and how there can be adverse effects of a traumatic birth and consequential hospitalization of the baby/babies (or mother) for parents of premature infants. This, in turn, can affect developmental outcomes for infants as oftentimes the isolation, stigma, and healthcare costs associated with trauma keep parents stifled from seeking the care they need after their traumatic birth experiences;
Objective 3: Delegates will learn how attachment affects overall brain development, the success of family systems and overall functioning for premature infants over the course of their life;
Objective 4: Posttraumatic growth is evidenced in NICU parents, and may indicate that due to the traumatic circumstances of the birth their babies, the intimate knowledge of NICU parents' babies' needs and their own hopes for attachment can inform a very strong, healthy and resilient attachment after discharge from the NICU, particularly with supportive interventions from NICU staff.
