ERIC Number: EJ840081
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0009-3920
EISSN: N/A
Differential Effects of Maternal Sensitivity to Infant Distress and Nondistress on Social-Emotional Functioning
Leerkes, Esther M.; Blankson, A. Nayena; O'Brien, Marion
Child Development, v80 n3 p762-775 May-Jun 2009
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.
Descriptors: Behavior Problems, Infants, Child Behavior, Emotional Adjustment, Interpersonal Competence, Social Development, Emotional Development, Stress Variables, Personality Traits, Developmental Stages
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A