Differential Effects of Maternal Sensitivity to Infant Distress and Nondistress on Social-emotional Functioning

Overview

Journal Child Dev

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2009 Jun 4

PMID 19489902

Citations 143

Authors

Esther M Leerkes

A Nayena Blankson

Marion OBrien

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Associations between maternal sensitivity to infant distress and nondistress and infant social-emotional adjustment were examined in a subset of dyads from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care (N = 376). Mothers reported on infant temperament at 1 and 6 months postpartum, and maternal sensitivity to distress and nondistress were observed at 6 months. Child behavior problems, social competence, and affect dysregulation were measured at 24 and 36 months. Maternal sensitivity to distress but not to nondistress was related to fewer behavioral problems and higher social competence. In addition, for temperamentally reactive infants, maternal sensitivity to distress was associated with less affect dysregulation. Sensitivity to nondistress only prevented affect dysregulation if sensitivity to distress was also high.

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