Background: A preterm birth, usually accompanied by the need for neonatal intensive care (NICU) and
subsequent parents-infant separation, can disrupt infants’ early development, parental
psychological well-being and parent-infant bonding. Recent research indicates that the early
environment and experiences play a critical role in infant development and parenting
processes. Kangaroo Care (KC) procedure has been introduced in high technology settings to
supplement incubator care and to reduce the initial parents-infant separation through skin-toskin
contact. Research has demonstrated its medical benefits but only partially documented
its psychological effects on infants’ long-term development and parenting outcomes, and
controversial data has emerged in the UK.
Aim: The aim is to evaluate the psychological and behavioural impact of KC in high technology
NICU during the first year of life. The domains investigated are: 1) parental psychological
stress; 2) parents-preterm infant relationships; 3) mother-infant dyadic interaction; 4)
proximal environment and 5) preterm infants cognitive, motor, socio-emotional and
behavioural development.
Method: 56 mother-preterm infant dyads in KC were compared to a control group of 34 in traditional
care. Within this sample, a study was conducted with 28 fathers whose partner experienced
KC contact with their infant and 16 fathers who were part of the Control group. Data was collected at 6 stages: before the initiation of KC procedure, after discharge from hospital, and
at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.
Results: KC mothers have less parental stress, better attachment and interaction with their preterm
infant across the research times and they provide a better home environment at 3 months than
the Control group. Moreover, KC infants are more responsive during interaction, present
better development in terms of motor and adaptive behaviors skills at 6 months, and better
communication skills at 12 months than the TC group. Conversely, KC does not directly
influence fathers’ psychological stress and the formation of father-infant relationships.
Conclusions: The KC procedure promotes maternal psychological well-being and mother-infant dyadic
relationships with a consequent positive influence on mother-child attachment and infant
development
