Abstracts - Posters

Study of the Effects of Prenatal Stress on Facial Expressions of Infants Exposed in Utero to the 1998 Ice Storm in Quebec

Sylvain Lemieux¹, David Laplante, Alain Brunet and Suzanne King
¹Douglas Hospital Research Centre
sylvain.lemieux@douglas.mcgill.ca

The literature suggests a link between prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) and abnormalities in the facial expressions of their children. In animals, the link between prenatal stress and temperament is demonstrated directly while in humans, this link remains indirect. We have recently demonstrated that prenatal stress due to a natural disaster is associated with more serious anxiety problems in 3-year old children.

The goal of our research is to determine if there is a direct association between the severity of the moment of PNMS and abnormalities in facial expressions even before the age of 3 years. To do this, we are going to analyze the facial expressions of children between the ages of 0 and 5 years whose mothers were exposed, during their pregnancies, to variable stress levels during the ice storm of 1998.

More specifically, we are going to study the effects due to the severity and timing of objective exposure to the ice storm as well as the subjective reactions of the mother following this stress, while controlling the levels of maternal anxiety and depression. Our hypothesis is that an increase in one of our variables in the mother will be associated with an increase in negative facial expressions in the child during early childhood. Our sample is comprised of 22 families who have agreed to provide us with all their family videos. The facial expressions will be coded in accordance with the Affex Coding System. Sylvain Lemieux Assistant de recherche

2005-04-06