Developments of perinatal psychology and early infancy in South America

ALICIA OIBERMAN, SANTOS SOLEDAD, ; ARVELO L.; FARKAS. C

Cap Town

Congreso; World Association for Infant Mental Health 13th Biennial World Congress; 2012

World Association for Infant Mental Health

The aim of this presentation is to introduce a psychological device used in perinatal mental health, specifically designed to consider and integrate the psycho-affective aspects of maternity. Perinatal psychology proposes a psycho-social approach to the process of pregnancy/gestation, delivery/childbirth, postpartum period/ first moments of life. Therefore, this specific psychological device is included in several areas of maternal and infant health: obstetrics (normal and high risk pregnancies), neonatology (premature or babies born with neonatal pathology in NICU), rooming-in (Healthy mothers and babies, breastfeeding problems, postpartum disorders) and pediatrics (healthy and high risk infants). Particularly, the main objective of this perinatal device, created as a result of 20 years of professional work in maternity hospitals of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is to promote early detection and psychological intervention, within a preventive perspective, in the bonding process between the mother and her newborn baby, developing for that purpose, specific instruments. We will present the main characteristics of the mentioned device and the specific methodology of perinatal psychological assistance, as well as the instruments developed to apply within this device and the results of its administration in maternity hospitals in Buenos Aires. Masculinity and the paternal function. Presenter: Leslie Arvelo. The aim of this presentation is to analyze the main aspects of the intricate association patterns which exist between the concepts of masculinity and fatherhood. Both concepts include psychological, social, anthropological and historical aspects in which the biological element is part of a constructive process. The dissertation will involve the presentation and analysis of the main concepts associated with this construction. Also, it will be considered, from an integrated perspective, the exchanges between masculinity and femininity which occur during the exercise of paternal and maternal functions, as well as the comparison of specific masculine traits in various cultures, particularly those of Western cultures, which both help and hinder the paternal function. The examined concepts will be illustrated by clinical data. Gestural Communication in Early Infancy: Presenter: Dr. Chamarrita Farkas Klein. The aim of this article is to present the Chilean program of gestural communication and to provide an actual and comprehensive overview of the development and functions of gesture during childhood. The mentioned program could support the work of psychologists, educators, and other professionals conducting research or working with babies and toddlers. There is a growing body of evidence that gestures enhances, not hinders, language development. Gesture and language 89 development parallels each other and share underlying symbolic abilities. Educational interventions in babies and their families encourage the intentional development of symbolic gestural communication.