International Journal of Human Ecology

The Korean Home Economics Association (대한가정학회)
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Infant Crying Acoustic Characteristics Evoking Unpleasant Emotions in Mothers

  • Kim, Yeoun-Jung (Community Movement & Research Center for Infants Toddlers and Families)
  • Received : 2011.09.26
  • Accepted : 2011.12.11
  • Published : 2011.12.30
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Abstract

This study examines the infant crying acoustic characteristics likely to arouse negative emotions and distress in mothers. We used samples of infant crying from three situations (hunger, pain, and the mother's absence) in six healthy infants over six months. We played the recordings of infants crying to 90 mothers in the care of infants and had them self-evaluate emotions and feelings. In addition, the sounds were analyzed acoustically through a CSL4400 to analyze frequency, energy, total expiratory time, and the number of the expirations. In this study, cries due to pain and the absence of the mother caused more unpleasant emotions and irritation in comparison to the infant sounds of hunger. In particular, crying from the absence of the mother caused the most distress. An analysis of these sounds showed that crying in the situations of pain and the absence of the mother were strong in frequency, high energy, and prolonged. These results suggest a relation between infant crying acoustical characteristics and the feelings of distress by the mother.

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References

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