AN EXAMINATION OF AVERSIVENESS OF THE PRETERM INFANT CRY

NADIA ANNE WASYLYSHYN, Purdue University

Abstract

Videotapes, still photographs, and sound recordings of two crying full terms and two crying preterms were selected randomly from a sample of normal, healthy, Caucasian infants. Crying behaviors and physical features of all infants had been rated as typical of infants of their term by eight nurses, each with experience on a neonatal unit. A 2 (sound: present, absent) x 2 (movement: present (videotapes), absent (stills)) x 2 term: full term, preterm) x 2 (infants preterm) x 2 (sex of subject) x 2 (order of presentation) x 3 (subjects per cell) between-subjects design was employed. One hundred ninety-two Purdue University undergraduates were assigned randomly to one of 64 conditions. Subjects in each group viewed one full term and one preterm, with an eventual option to terminate each one's presentation. Subjects selected one of the two to be viewed again. Finally, subjects assigned descriptive words, previously determined to by synonymous with aversiveness and attractiveness, to either of the two infants. Results indicated that crying preterms were viewed for shorter periods of time, received more aversive and fewer attractive words, and were selected for re-viewing less frequently than were full terms. In addition, individual components of crying (e.g., movement, sound) appeared to elicit aversiveness, suggesting that preterm crying be viewed as a composite of various aversive stimuli. Finally, infants within a term elicited differential aversiveness, suggesting individual infant differences elicit aversive responses. Interpretation of analyses and theoretical implications of the study are discussed. Suggestions for future research also are presented.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Psychotherapy

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