Madri adolescenti e sviluppo socio-emotivo infantile: sperimentazione di un modello di intervento preventivo

Many studies show that motherhood in adolescence constitutes a risk factor for the establishment of an appropriate relationship between mother and child (Aiello e Lancaster, 2008; Osofsky, Hann e Peebles, 1993; Reid e Meadows-Oliver, 2007; Secco, Profit, Kennedy, Walsh, Letourneau e Stewart, 2007) and for a positive development of socio-emotional communication and attachment during infancy (Osofsky, 1992; Broussard, 1995; Frodi, Grolnick, Bridges e Berko, 1990; Ward e Carlson, 1995; Moran, Forbes, Evans, Tarabulsy e Madigan, 2008). However, the styles of emotional regulation adopted by adolescent mothers and their children during the first year of life are few investigated. In this perspective, the thesis presents an intervention project with young mothers and their children, in collaboration with the San Paolo Hospital and coordinated by Prof. Riva Crugnola. We present two different studies using data collected during treatment with observed mothers. In the first study we compare the styles of interaction and emotion regulation of adolescent and adult mothers at 3 months of life of their children. Dyads with teen mothers are less responsive than those with adult mothers and less able to share positive emotions: showing less positive states (mothers and children) and more negative states (mothers). In the second study we evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention with adolescent mothers, noting a decrease of maternal intrusiveness. Finally, two cases are illustrated to highlight the treatment technique.