ERIC Number: EJ1142031
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 2
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2192-001X
EISSN: N/A
Comparing Risk- and Non-Risk-Groups Is a Favored Approach in Developmental Psychopathology. Commentary on: "Variations in Early Attachment Mechanisms Contribute to Attachment Quality: Case Studies Including Babies Born Preterm"
Suess, Gerhard J.
International Journal of Developmental Science, v10 n3-4 p101-102 2016
In this commentary, Suess opines that comparing risk- and non-risk-groups, as is done in the study by Witting, Ruiz, and Ahnert (2016), is a favored approach in developmental psychopathology in order to learn more about underlying mechanisms of normal development, as well as developmental deviations. Witting and colleagues followed up this strategy to study variations in attachment mechanisms, comparing preterm and term born children in their case study. They have thereby used a multilevel and multi-method approach as highly recommended by developmental psychopathologists. However, unfortunately, assessments at the representational level, which would have been important to address fathers' "understanding of the vulnerability in their babies, especially in stressful situations," were left out, even though this issue was raised by the authors in the discussion section. In sum, the outline and the design of the study is suitable to serve as a model in order to inspire further research, and to inform practice for better supports of preterm children. As we better understand the transactional process, we may finally handle the empirically found vulnerabilities and long-lasting handicaps among some of the preterm children more effectively, and might be able to improve preventive interventions in this area. [For "Variations in Early Attachment Mechanisms Contribute to Attachment Quality: Case Studies Including Babies Born Preterm," see EJ1142016.]
Descriptors: Premature Infants, At Risk Persons, Comparative Analysis, Child Development, Psychopathology, Attachment Behavior, Infants, Evaluation Methods, Fathers, Parent Child Relationship, Males, Metabolism, Stress Variables, Case Studies
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative; Opinion Papers
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Language: English
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