Infantile atopic dermatitis and maternal-infant bonding: a mixed methods study

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dc.contributor.authorBATAC, AYEL LUIS
dc.contributor.authorMerrill, Kaitlyn
dc.contributor.authorGolding, Michael
dc.contributor.authorBhamra, Manvir
dc.contributor.authorHarbottle, Zoe
dc.contributor.authorKopsch, Isac
dc.contributor.authorWilking, Erik
dc.contributor.authorJonsson, Marina
dc.contributor.authorEkström, Sandra
dc.contributor.authorAbrams, Elissa M.
dc.contributor.authorHalbrich, Michelle A.
dc.contributor.authorSimons, Elinor
dc.contributor.authorRoos, Leslie E.
dc.contributor.authorKeddy-Grant, Jill A.
dc.contributor.authorGerstner, Thomas V.
dc.contributor.authorSt-Vincent, Jo-Anne
dc.contributor.authorProtudjer, Jennifer
dc.date.accessioned2024-01-03T22:47:28Z
dc.date.available2024-01-03T22:47:28Z
dc.date.issued2023-11-29
dc.date.updated2023-12-01T04:28:05Z
dc.description.abstractBackground Childhood atopic dermatitis can have a negative effect on caregivers’ quality of life and stress levels due to the burdensome nature of its treatment. Given that the condition often emerges in infancy, atopic dermatitis-related stress also carries the potential to negatively affect the developing mother-infant bond. While it is plausible that atopic dermatitis has a negative impact on maternal-infant bonding, these relationships have not been studied directly. In light of this gap, the current study investigated the association between infantile atopic dermatitis and the maternal-infant bond using a mixed-method design. Methods Mothers of infants (< 19 months) with atopic dermatitis were recruited from social media and medical clinics between October 2021 and May 2022. Mothers with infants unaffected by inflammatory skin conditions were also recruited to serve as a control group. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires related to their demographics, child’s health, and mother-infant bond. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess bonding quality among cases and controls. A subset of cases were also asked to participate in semi-structured interviews focused on infantile atopic dermatitis and the maternal-infant bond. Results The final sample consisted of 32 cases and 65 controls. Scores on the impaired bonding and risk of abuse subscales did not significantly differ between cases and controls. However, mothers of infants with atopic dermatitis did report lower levels of caregiving anxiety (b = − 1.47, p < 0.01) and pathological anger/rejection (b = − 1.74, p = 0.02) relative to controls. Qualitative findings suggest that the topical therapies required to manage atopic dermatitis may strengthen the bond between some mothers and infants. Conclusion Findings suggest that atopic dermatitis does not have a negative impact on maternal-infant bonding and may actually improve bonds in some cases. In light of this finding, clinicians may leverage the potentially positive impact of atopic dermatitis-related caregiving on the maternal-infant bond to encourage caregivers to remain adherent to their child’s topical treatments.
dc.identifier.citationAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. 2023 Nov 29;19(1):100
dc.identifier.doi10.1186/s13223-023-00857-5
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/37908
dc.language.isoeng
dc.language.rfc3066en
dc.publisherBMC
dc.rightsopen accessen_US
dc.rights.holderThe Author(s)
dc.subjectAtopic dermatitis
dc.subjectMaternal-infant bonding
dc.subjectMaternal health
dc.subjectMaternal mental health
dc.subjectPostpartum bonding questionnaire
dc.subjectMixed methods
dc.titleInfantile atopic dermatitis and maternal-infant bonding: a mixed methods study
dc.typeJournal Article
local.author.affiliationRady Faculty of Health Sciences::Max Rady College of Medicine::Department of Pediatrics and Child Health
oaire.citation.titleAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology
oaire.citation.volume19
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