Motherhood, relationship style and neonatal outcome in Chinese and African mother-baby couples [Maternità, stili relazionali ed outcome neonatale in diadi madre-neonato di etnia Cinese ed Africana]

This study focalizes the attention on the birth experience in different ethnic groups, analysing relationship styles in 30 mother-infant couples (10 Chinese, 10 African, 10 Italian), considering the influence that stress may have on newborns behavioural outcome. An anamnestic questionnaire (in particular, socio-economical conditions and migration data), the NBAS to evaluate the neuro-behavioural outcome of the newborns and an observation of the mother-baby relationship during the breast feeding in the first 24-48 hours of life (Richards e Bernel, Hall et al.) have been used. We conclude that stress related to the migrant condition could influence the relationship in the dyad (evoking a poor pre and postnatal attachment) and alter the neuro-behavioural outcome of the newborns. These aspects should be taken under consideration when organizing services for pregnant women.