Maternal sensitivity to infants in various settings predicts harsh discipline in toddlerhood
Abstract
In a longitudinal study with 73 mothers and their second-born child, stability and main-level differences between measures of maternal sensitivity across settings and over time were examined. Furthermore, the predictability of harsh discipline by these different maternal sensitivity measures was studied. Maternal sensitivity was assessed at three and six months during bathing, free play on mother's lap and the baseline and reunion episode of the Still Face Paradigm (SFP; Tronick, Als, Adamson, Wise, & Brazelton, 1978 Tronick, E., Als, H., Adamson, L., Wise, S. and Brazelton, T. B. 1978. Infants response to entrapment between contradictory messages in face-to-face interaction. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 17: 1–13. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Harsh discipline was observed during three home visits in the second year of life. Results showed a single underlying factor for all maternal sensitivity settings at both time points and significant stability over time. Harsh discipline was predicted by maternal sensitivity at three months, which was fully mediated by maternal sensitivity at six months. Early failure to respond appropriately to infant signals is an important indicator of risk for future harsh parenting.
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A mother's sensitivity to distress is a better predictor of the child's outcome than her sensitivity to non-distress cues.
“A mother’s sensitivity to distress has been a better predictor of the child’s outcome than her sensitivity to non-distress cues (Joosen et al., 2012; Leerkes, 2011; Leerkes et al., 2009; McElwain and Booth-Laforce, 2006).”
From The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans (2016) · cites this paper as Joosen et al., 2012
Poor maternal sensitivity in infancy predicts later harsh parenting and attitudes towards punishment.
“Poor maternal sensitivity in infancy predicts later harsh parenting (Joosen et al., 2012) and attitudes towards punishment (Engfer and M, 1987).”
From Approaching the biology of human parental attachment: Brain imaging, oxytocin and coordinated assessments of mothers and fathers (2014) · cites this paper as Joosen et al., 2012
A mother's sensitivity to distress may be a better predictor of child outcomes than her sensitivity to non-distress cues.
“studies suggest that a mother’s sensitivity to distress may be a better predictor of child outcomes than her sensitivity to non-distress cues (Joosen et al., 2012; Leerkes, 2011; Leerkes et al., 2009; McElwain and Booth-Laforce, 2006).”
From Approaching the biology of human parental attachment: Brain imaging, oxytocin and coordinated assessments of mothers and fathers (2014) · cites this paper as Joosen et al., 2012
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- Authors
- Joosen, K. J., Mesman, J., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., & van IJzendoorn, M. H.
- Affiliations
- Leiden University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Mesman, Judi
- Venue
- Attachment & Human Development
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-03
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 101-117
- ISSN
- 1461-6734 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-2988
- OpenAlex
- W2141328464
- Cited by
- 85
- References
- 64
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 10.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Attachment & Human Development (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- maternal sensitivity, harsh discipline, toddlerhood, parental behavior, still-face paradigm, mother-infant interaction, second-born children, longitudinal stability, mediation
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Child, Preschool, Humans, Infant, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Maternal Behavior, Mother-Child Relations, Punishment, Socioeconomic Factors, Temperament, Time Factors
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