Cited by 103Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentInfant Health and DevelopmentAttachment and Relationship Dynamics

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Differentiating Maternal Sensitivity to Infant Distress and Non-Distress

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Leerkes, Esther M., Weaver, Jennifer M., O'Brien, Marion·2012·Parenting

DOI 10.1080/15295192.2012.683353PMC PMC3393126

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Abstract

Drawing from a domain specificity perspective, we assert that maternal sensitivity to infant distress cues is distinct from maternal sensitivity to non-distress cues. We review evidence from prior research demonstrating that the two constructs have more unshared than shared variance and that sensitivity to infant distress is a unique predictor of infants' early emotional well-being when both types of sensitivity are examined as simultaneous predictors. In addition, we present new evidence to test the hypothesis that maternal sensitivity to infant distress and non-distress have different origins. We draw on data from a subset of mothers and infants who participated in Phase I of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care (Study 1) and from 101 mother-infant dyads who participated in a longitudinal study of the origins of maternal sensitivity (Study 2). In both studies, maternal sensitivity to distress and non-distress were rated when infants were 6 months old. In both studies, socio-demographic risk (i.e., young, unmarried, low income mothers) was a stronger predictor of sensitivity to non-distress than of sensitivity to distress. In Study 2, mothers' emotional and cognitive responses to videotapes of crying infants during the prenatal period predicted maternal sensitivity during tasks designed to elicit infant fear and frustration but were unrelated to maternal sensitivity in a non-arousing free play context. Maternal sensitivity during infancy can be further divided into specific sub-types that have unique origins and unique effects on subsequent child well-being. Methodological, theoretical, and applied implications of such an approach are discussed.

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Authors: Leerkes, E. M., Weaver, J. M., & O'Brien, M.
Affiliations: a Human Development and Family Studies , University of North Carolina , PO Box 26170, Greensboro , NC , 27402-6170 , USA
Boise State University (US)
c The University of North Carolina , Greensboro
Corresponding author: Leerkes, Esther M.
ORCID: Leerkes, Esther M.
Venue: Parenting
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2012-04-01
Volume: 12
Issue: 2-3
Pages: 175-184
ISSN: 1529-5192 (ISSN-L)
1532-7922
DOI: 10.1080/15295192.2012.683353
PMC: PMC3393126
OpenAlex: W2171263077
Cited by: 102
References: 27
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
FWCI: 6.88
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
europepmc.org
Locations: Parenting (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
NC Digital Online Collection of Knowledge and Scholarship (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) (submittedVersion)
Scholar Works (Boise State University) (submittedVersion)
Funders: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R03HD048691)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Health and Development
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Keywords: maternal sensitivity, infant distress, domain specificity, mother-infant dyads, NICHD Study of Early Child Care

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Differentiating Maternal Sensitivity to Infant Distress and Non-Distress

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