Maternal deprivation

MATERNAL DEPRIVATION is important topic in child health nursing. it is based on JOHN BOWBLY THEORY..

1. MATERNAL DEPRIVATION BY- NEHA SINGH ASST. PROF CHILD HEALTH NSG

2. . The term maternal deprivation is a catch-phrase summarizing the early work of psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, John Bowlby on the effects of separating infants and young children from their mother (or mother-substitute) John Bowlby (1907 - 1990) was a psychoanalyst and believed that mental health and behavioral problems could be attributed to early childhood. Bowlby hypothesized that both infants and mothers have evolved a biological need to stay in contact with each other. INTRODUCTION

3. 1 . A child has an innate (i.e. inborn) need to attach to one main attachment figure (i.e . monotropy Bowlby believe that there should be a primary bond which was much more important than any other (usually the mother ). Bowlby argues that the relationship with the mother is somehow different altogether from other relationships . Essentially, Bowlby suggested that the nature of monotropy (attachment conceptualized as being a vital and close bond with just one attachment figure) meant that a failure to initiate, or a breakdown of, the maternal attachment would lead to serious negative consequences, possibly including affectionless psychopathy. MAIN POINTS OF BOWLBY’S ATTACHMENT THEORY

4. Bowlby’s theory of monotropy led to the formulation of his maternal deprivation hypothesis . When a child experiences heightened arousal, he/she signals their caregiver. Crying, smiling, and, locomotion, are examples of these signaling behaviors.  Instinctively, caregivers respond to their children’s behavior creating a reciprocal pattern of interaction.

5. 2 . A child should receive the continuous care of this single most important attachment figure for approximately the first two years of life . Bowlby (1951) claimed that mothering is almost useless if delayed until after two and a half to three years and, for most children, if delayed till after 12 months, i.e. there is a critical period . If the attachment figure is broken or disrupted during the critical two year period the child will suffer irreversible long-term consequences of this maternal deprivation . This risks continues until the age of 5 . The underlying assumption of Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis is that continual disruption of the attachment between infant and primary caregiver (i.e. mother) could result in long term cognitive, social, and emotional difficulties for that infant. 

6. 3 . The long term consequences of maternal deprivation might include the following: • Delinquency, • Reduced intelligence, • Increased aggression, • Depression, • Affectionless psychopathy Affectionless psychopathy is an inability show affection or concern for others. Such of individuals act on impulse with little regard for the consequences of their actions. For example, showing no guilt for antisocial behavior.

7. 4 . The child’s attachment relationship with their primary caregiver leads to the development of an internal working model . This internal working model is a cognitive framework comprising mental representations for understanding the world, self and others.  A person’s interaction with others is guided by memories and expectations from their internal model which influence and help evaluate their contact with others . Around the age of three these seems to become part of a child’s personality and thus affects their understanding of the world and future interactions with others.   According to Bowlby (1969) the primary caregiver acts as a prototype for future relationships via the internal working model.

8. Maternal Deprivation, or Motherlessness , is occurring with alarming frequency due to the unethical treatment of women and children in family court. Maternal Deprivation is inflicting abuse by severing the mother-child bond. It is a form of abuse that men inflict on both the mother and children, especially men who claim they are “parentally alienated” from their children when there are complaints of abusive treatment by the father. Maternal Deprivation occurs when men seek to keep their children from being raised by their mothers who are the children’s natural caretakers. Some men murder the mothers of their own children. Others seek to sever the maternal bonds by making false allegations of fictitious psychological syndromes in a deliberate effort to change custody and/or keep the child from having contact with their mother when there are legal proceedings. A twisted form of Maternal Deprivation is to kill the children, so that the mother will be left to suffer. MATERNAL DEPRIVATION

9. In seeking to define this form of abuse certain common elements are found in the Maternal Deprivation scenario as follows: History of domestic abuse that could be physical, psychological, sexual, and/or social abuse occurring on or off again, occasionally, or chronically which could be mild, moderate, or severe, including homicidal and/or suicidal threats. Legal proceedings relating to abuse Hiring of “Fathers Rights” attorney Use of “Hired Gun” mental health professionals to make accusations of psychological disorder against the mother and children in deliberate effort to excuse abuse and change custody or grant visitation that is contrary to safety concerns. Another name for these unethical professionals are “Whores of the Courts “

10. Raising claims of “psychological disorders” against the mother such as “Parental Alienation Syndrome” (PAS), Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome . Infliction of “Legal Abuse” by continually and excessively filing motions so that the mother continually has to defend herself and her child( ren ) causing financial and emotional devastation. Can occur in response to child support legal proceedings as retaliation.

11. Some of the characteristics of the especially heinous abusers who inflict Maternal Deprivation include but are not limited to the following: Angry Abusive Violent Coercive Controlling Threatening Intimidating Demanding Domineering

12. Harassing Stalking Tyrannical Oppressive Forceful Manipulative Deceptive Unethical Un-empathetic (Lacks Empathy ) Entitled Immature Self-centered

13. Neglectful Guilt inducing Pushy Intentionally tries to humiliate mother and/or child Harsh, rigid and punitive parenting style Outrage at child’s challenge of authority May use force to reassert parental position Dismissive of child’s feelings and negative attitudes Vents rage, blames mother for “brainwashing” child and takes no responsibility Challenges child’s beliefs and/or attitudes and tries to convince them otherwise

14. Inept and unempathic pursuit of child, pushes calls and letters, unannounced or embarrassing visitsThere is a distinct overlap of the intimate terrorist type domestic violence abuser with the Maternal Deprivation abusers as follows: Coercion and threats Intimidation Emotional abuse Isolation Minimizing, denying and blaming (Hallmarks of PAS) Using children Economic abuse Male privilegeThe people who most often engage in Maternal Deprivation Abuse are most often: Abusive men Vindictive second wives who don’t want to deal with the real mother of the children Paternal grandparents who raised dysfunctional children (abusers)

15. The effects of Maternal Deprivation often cause the children to become psychotic, depressed, and sometimes suicidal or to have suicidal ideations. Another terrible reaction is when the child retaliates against the parent who accuses Parental Alienation Syndrome as in a Texas case where the child killed his father. Other times when the Maternal Deprivation abuser completely takes over the will of the child by using brainwashing techniques similar to those used in prison camps where deprivation and isolation are used to force ideological changes in captives, these children often have a sort of trauma-bonding with the abuser and model their behavior. Sometimes these children will also abuse the mother in the same manner as the father. Another generation is created to carry on the abuse, and will likely do the same to their own spouse and children.

16. MATERNAL DEPRIVATION SYNDROME Definition Maternal deprivation syndrome is a form of failure to thrive that is caused by neglect (intentional or unintentional ). Alternative Names Nonorganic failure to thrive

17. Causes The majority of cases of failure to thrive in infants and young children (under 2 years old) are not caused by disease. Most cases are caused by dysfunctional caregiver interaction, poverty, child abuse, and parental ignorance about appropriate child care. Such cases are considered "nonorganic" failure to thrive. Failure to thrive in children younger than 2 years old is defined as failure to gain adequate weight, failure of linear growth, and failure to achieve some or all developmental milestones.

18. In maternal deprivation syndrome, although the mother or other primary caregiver may appear concerned, the interplay and physical contact normally seen between mother and infant may be absent or distorted. Factors that may contribute to maternal deprivation syndrome include: Young age of parent (teenage parents) Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy Lower levels of education (especially failure to complete high school) Lower socioeconomic status Absence of the father Absence of a support network (family, close friends, or other support) Mental illness, including severe postpartum depression

19. Symptoms Decreased or absent linear growth ("falling off" the growth chart) Lack of appropriate hygiene Interaction problems between mother and child Weight less than the 5th percentile, or an inadequate rate of weight gain

20. Exams and Tests Careful evaluation by a doctor is the first step. A physical exam, medical history, and simple laboratory tests can be used to rule out major medical illnesses as the cause. The doctor will closely examine the patient's growth chart. The doctor should involve family members and social service agencies to help the mother. A child's feeding should be gradually increased to 150 calories/kg/day. If the doctor is concerned for the child's safety or treatment has not been successful, the child may need to stay in the hospital.

21. Treatment Treatment of failure to thrive is a major undertaking which requires the input of a multidisciplinary team including physicians, nutritionists, social workers, behavioral specialists, and visiting nurses. Many programs are available for young parents, single parents, and parents having other problems. Referrals should be made as early as possible to appropriate programs. Helping extended family members recognize that a problem exists and recruiting their help will provide increased support for the mother and infant.

22. Possible Complications Abandonment Developmental delay Abuse When to Contact a Medical Professional Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child does not seem to be growing or developing normally. Also, ask for the provider's advice if you think you don't know how to properly care for your child, or if you are overwhelmed by feelings of sadness or other problems, and fear you may harm your baby. Postpartum depression and other mental illnesses may make caregivers feel hopeless and unable to properly care for their children, but there are resources and help available -- there is no shame in asking for help.

23. Prevention Education is an important part of prenatal care. Parenting classes and support groups are often available and should be strongly encouraged. Early intervention programs are specifically designed to bring together the necessary resources to assist children with failure to thrive. The earlier high-risk parents become involved with such programs, the better the child does.