Pathways by which mothers' physiological arousal and regulation while caregiving predict sensitivity to infant distress

Journal of Family Psychology : JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)
Esther M LeerkesMarion O'Brien

Abstract

Pathways by which maternal physiological arousal (skin conductance level [SCL]) and regulation (respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA] withdrawal) while parenting are linked with concurrent and subsequent maternal sensitivity were examined. Mothers' (N = 259) SCL and RSA were measured during a resting baseline and while interacting with their 6-month-old infants during tasks designed to elicit infant distress. Then, mothers were interviewed about their emotional and cognitive responses to infant cues (i.e., cry processing) while caregiving using a video recall procedure. Maternal sensitivity was observed during the distressing tasks at 6 months and again when children were 1-year-old. Mothers who were well-regulated (higher RSA suppression from baseline to parenting tasks) engaged in less negative and self-focused cry processing while interacting with their infants, which in turn predicted higher maternal sensitivity at both time points. In addition, SCL arousal and RSA regulation interacted such that maternal arousal was associated with more empathic/infant focused cry processing among mothers who were simultaneously well-regulated, which in turn predicted maternal sensitivity, albeit only at 6 months. These effects were independe...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 30, 2018·Attachment & Human Development·Kristin BernardOliver Lindhiem
Mar 6, 2019·Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology·Denise Côté-ArsenaultNan Zhou
May 8, 2019·Development and Psychopathology·Jessica Norman WellsDavid S DeGarmo
Sep 12, 2019·Infant Mental Health Journal·Esther M Leerkes, Jin Qu
Sep 26, 2017·Infant and Child Development·Esther Leerkes, Jin Qu
Oct 30, 2018·Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology·Susanne SchulzGeertjan Overbeek
Jun 24, 2020·Infant Mental Health Journal·Esther M LeerkesSavannah A Sommers
Jan 10, 2021·Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·Anne BjertrupKamilla Miskowiak
Feb 2, 2021·Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology·Lauren G Bailes, Esther M Leerkes
Nov 3, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·Jennifer S MascaroCharles Raison
Jan 4, 2019·Journal of Communication Disorders·Amanda V BinnsJanis Oram Cardy
May 27, 2021·Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology : the Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53·Daneele ThorpeKristin Bernard
Jul 23, 2021·Developmental Psychobiology·Drew H AbneyBennett I Bertenthal
Oct 8, 2021·Infancy : the Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies·Jacek KolaczStephen W Porges

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