Yildiz, AyseYildiz, RamazanBasaran, ZekiyeAtalan Efkere, PelinZorlular, RabiaCelik, Halil IbrahimElbasan, Bulent2026-03-262026-03-2620252227-906710.3390/children121215812-s2.0-105025976862https://doi.org/10.3390/children12121581https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14901/2900Yildiz, Ayse/0000-0002-1101-1069; Zorlular, Rabia/0000-0001-9007-553X; Celik, Halil Ibrahim/0000-0003-3849-6382; Başaran, Zekiye/0000-0001-5591-7762Background/Objectives: This study examined the relationship between sensory processing skills, mother-infant bonding, and prematurity in 12-month-old infants. Methods: Twentytwo preterm infants with gestational age <34 weeks and 20 term infants were included in the study. At four months, mothers evaluated their bonding with infants using the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). At the age of 12 months, the sensory processing skills of infants were assessed using the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI). Results: MIBS scores were significantly higher in the preterm group compared to the term group (p < 0.01). TSFI total scores and subdomains (tactile deep pressure, adaptive motor function, and vestibular stimulation) were significantly lower in preterm infants (p = 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.01, and p = 0.03, respectively). Multiple linear regression revealed that each one-point increase in bonding score (weaker bonding) was associated with a-0.65 decrease in the TSFI total score, a-0.61 decrease in tactile deep pressure, and a-0.63 decrease in vestibular stimulation scores, independent of gestational age. Conclusions: This study concluded that mother-to-infant bonding is associated with sensory processing skills, especially in the vestibular and tactile domains. Additionally, prematurity was found to be related to sensory processing.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessPreterm InfantsSensory ProcessingMother-To-Infant BondingMotherRelationshipArticle