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2026, Vol: 51, Issue: 2
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Original Research 


Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life

Hawa M Alabdulaziz, Salmah A Alghamdi, Nofaa A Alasmee, Shahad M Almutairi, Shahad A Rashed, Raghad M Almutairi.


Abstract
Objective: To assess the impact of parent–infant interactions on child development during the first 18 months of life.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed via WhatsApp to a convenience sample of 271 parents in Saudi Arabia. The survey collected demographic data and assessed parent-infant interactions, parental caregiving competence, and infant motor development at 6 and 18 months of age.
Results: The majority of respondents were mothers, and over half had infants aged 1-6 months. Approximately half of the mothers and fathers reported planned pregnancies. Mothers demonstrated higher levels of caregiving efficiency and daily interaction with their infants than fathers. Complete motor development was observed in more than half of the infants at 6 months and in nearly half at 18 months. Infant motor development at 6 months was significantly higher in infants whose fathers interacted with them on a daily basis. At 18 months, complete motor development was significantly associated with the child’s sex, as expected by the mother, and with having siblings.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the reciprocal relationship between parent and infant interactions and early childhood development. Strengthening parental engagement, particularly paternal involvement, and enhancing maternal self-efficacy may positively influence developmental outcomes.

Key words: Impact, parents-infant interactions, psychological distress, child development, milestones.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alabdulaziz HM, Alghamdi SA, Alasmee NA, Almutairi SM, Rashed SA, Almutairi RM. Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life. RMJ. 2026; 51(2): 439-444. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500

Web Style

Alabdulaziz HM, Alghamdi SA, Alasmee NA, Almutairi SM, Rashed SA, Almutairi RM. Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=300849 [Access: May 27, 2026]. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alabdulaziz HM, Alghamdi SA, Alasmee NA, Almutairi SM, Rashed SA, Almutairi RM. Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life. RMJ. 2026; 51(2): 439-444. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alabdulaziz HM, Alghamdi SA, Alasmee NA, Almutairi SM, Rashed SA, Almutairi RM. Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life. RMJ. (2026), [cited May 27, 2026]; 51(2): 439-444. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500


Harvard Style

Alabdulaziz, H. M., Alghamdi, . S. A., Alasmee, . N. A., Almutairi, . S. M., Rashed, . S. A. & Almutairi, . R. M. (2026) Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life. RMJ, 51 (2), 439-444. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500


Turabian Style

Alabdulaziz, Hawa M, Salmah A Alghamdi, Nofaa A Alasmee, Shahad M Almutairi, Shahad A Rashed, and Raghad M Almutairi. 2026. Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (2), 439-444. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500


Chicago Style

Alabdulaziz, Hawa M, Salmah A Alghamdi, Nofaa A Alasmee, Shahad M Almutairi, Shahad A Rashed, and Raghad M Almutairi. "Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 439-444. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alabdulaziz, Hawa M, Salmah A Alghamdi, Nofaa A Alasmee, Shahad M Almutairi, Shahad A Rashed, and Raghad M Almutairi. "Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life." Rawal Medical Journal 51.2 (2026), 439-444. Print. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alabdulaziz, H. M., Alghamdi, . S. A., Alasmee, . N. A., Almutairi, . S. M., Rashed, . S. A. & Almutairi, . R. M. (2026) Impact of parent-infant interaction on various aspects of health and development during the first 18 months of life. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (2), 439-444. doi:10.5455/rmj.20251202074500


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