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Cited by 61Infant Development and Preterm CareChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentChild and Animal Learning Development

The association between observed non-verbal maternal responses at 12 months and later infant development at 18 months and IQ at 4 years: A longitudinal study

Pearson, R.M., Heron, J., Melotti, R., Joinson, C., Stein, A., Ramchandani, P.G., Evans, J.·2011·Infant Behavior and Development
DOI 10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.07.003
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Abstract

Background An infant's early environment has an important influence on their development. For example, the sensitivity and warmth of a mother's responses towards her infant is associated with the infant's later socio-emotional development. However, it is less clear whether maternal responses are associated with the infant's later cognitive development. Method We used data from a large UK cohort study to investigate the association between non-verbal maternal responses and later infant development and IQ. Maternal responses were rated at 12 months during an observed mother-infant interaction. Infant development was assessed using the Griffiths scales at 18 months and IQ at 4 years was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). Data on the infant's developmental level at 6 months (prior to the maternal response ratings) was also available. The complete case sample comprised 732 mother-infant pairs. Results There was evidence for an association between positive maternal responses and infant development at 18 months. After adjusting for infant developmental level at 6 months and other confounders, we found a difference of 0.25 standard deviations (coef 2.0, 95% CI (0.8-3.2), p=0.002) on the Griffiths scales between infant's whose mothers showed positive compared to neutral non-verbal responses at 12 months. However, an association between positive maternal responses and IQ at 4 years diminished following adjustment for maternal educational attainment. Conclusion The results provide evidence that positive maternal responses are associated with improved development in infants at 18 months. However, the association between maternal response and IQ at 4 years may be explained by higher educational attainment in mothers who show positive responses. Future studies are needed to explore the influence of maternal responses on different aspects of infant development as well as the role of maternal factors such as education.

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Authors
Pearson, R. M., Heron, J., Melotti, R., Joinson, C., Stein, A., Ramchandani, P. G., & Evans, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Bristol (GB)
  • Warneford Hospital (GB)
Corresponding author
Pearson, R.M.
ORCID
Venue
Infant Behavior and Development
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-12
Volume
34
Issue
4
Pages
525-533
ISSN
0163-6383 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.07.003
OpenAlex
W2052963730
Cited by
60
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 5
FWCI
4.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Infant Behavior and Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust (092731)
  • Economic and Social Research Council (ES/I004823/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
Keywords
maternal responsiveness, mother-infant interaction, infant cognitive development, maternal educational attainment, early childhood development
MeSH terms
Adult, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Cognition, Educational Status, Female, Humans, Infant, Intelligence, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mother-Child Relations, Mothers

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