Underinvolved Relationship Disorder and related factors in a sample of young children

• Published in: Early human development 2012-06, Vol.88 (6), p.327-332
• Main Authors: Akca, Omer Faruk, Ugur, Cagatay, Colak, Mehmet, Kartal, Oya Ozalp, Akozel, Aynur Sahin, Erdogan, Gonul, Uslu, Runa Idil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Advanced Basic Science; Biological and medical sciences; Caregivers - psychology; Child Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; Child Behavior Disorders - etiology; Child Behavior Disorders - psychology; Child Development - physiology; Child, Preschool; DC:0–3R; Developmental Disabilities - diagnosis; Developmental Disabilities - etiology; Developmental Disabilities - psychology; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant; Infant mental health; Infant Welfare; Infant–caregiver relationship; Male; Maternal Age; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Parent-Child Relations; Paternal Age; Psychosocial Deprivation; Social Behavior; Underinvolved relationship; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2011.09.004

Abstract Background and aims The interaction between the infant and the caregiver is stated to be very important in the development of a child. When there is inadequacy of interaction, several emotional and developmental problems can emerge. We aimed to investigate the socio-demographic and clinical features of children diagnosed with Underinvolved Relationship Disorder according to the DC:0–3R classification system. Study design and methods Four hundred and fifty seven children aged between 1 and 59 months, who had been admitted to an infant mental health clinic were assessed using the DC:0–3R classification system and the whole sample was divided into two groups, the group in which Underinvolved Relationship Disorder between the child and the caregiver had been detected (URD), and the group in which this had not been detected (NURD). These two groups were compared with regard to socio-demographic features, reasons for referral, primary diagnoses, relational disorders, medical/developmental conditions, psychosocial stressors and the Parent–Infant Relationship Global Assessment Scale (PIRGAS) scores of children. Results Language delay, insufficient social interaction and aggression were found to be significantly more frequent reasons for referral in URD. Disorders of Relating and Communicating (equivalent to the Pervasive Developmental Disorders in DSM IV) and Deprivation/Maltreatment Disorder were more frequent primary diagnoses, Verbally or Physically Abusive Relationship Disorder was significantly more frequent relational disorder in URD. Mild and moderate mental retardation were significantly more frequent in URD, and social environment, educational/child care and health-care access challenges were found to be more frequent psychosocial stressors in the parents of URD. The Mean PIRGAS scores were significantly lower in URD connoting that the parent–infant relationship is poorer. Conclusions The diagnosis of Underinvolved Relationship Disorder according to the DC:0–3R classification system is related to some developmental and psychosocial problems.