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Larkin F, Oostenbroek J, Lee Y, Hayward E, Fernandez A, Wang Y, Mitchell A, Li LY, Meins E. A smartphone app effectively facilitates mothers' mind-mindedness: A randomized controlled trial. Child Dev 2024; 95:831-844. [PMID: 37965827 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of a smartphone app intervention (BabyMind©) in facilitating mind-mindedness was investigated in a randomized controlled trial, assigning mothers and their 6-month-olds (N = 152; 72 girls, 146 White) to intervention or active control conditions. Mothers who had received the BabyMind© app intervention scored higher for appropriate (d = .61, 95% CI .28, .94) and lower for non-attuned (d = -.55, 95% CI -.92, -.18) mind-related comments at follow-up (age 12 months), compared with their control group counterparts. Adjusting for missing data did not alter this pattern of findings. Mothers' baseline parental reflective functioning did not moderate these relations. Results are discussed in terms of the benefits of early intervention and exploring the efficacy of the app in more diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ying Wang
- Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Lydia Y Li
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Hobby L, Bird AL, Townsend ML, Barnes J. Mind-mindedness and preschool children's behavioral difficulties: The moderating role of maternal parenting distress. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:1584-1596. [PMID: 35491701 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422000311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Mind-mindedness (MM) is a caregiver's tendency to appreciate their infant's internal mental states. This longitudinal study investigated whether maternal MM (10 months) was linked with children's later behavioral problems (51 months) and the moderating role of maternal parenting distress (PD; 36 months) in a sample of 91 mother-infant dyads. Appropriate MM comments were coded from video-recorded, semi-structured play interactions between mothers and their infants; PD was obtained from maternal completion of the PD subscale of the Parenting Stress Index - Short Form (PSI-SF); and child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems were gathered from maternal report on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Moderated regression analyses revealed higher early appropriate MM was associated with significantly fewer internalizing emotional problems at 51 months among mothers with lower PD at 36 months, and higher early appropriate MM was associated with lower conduct problems at 51 months in mothers with higher PD at 36 months. Findings demonstrated the importance of considering nuanced contexts such as at-risk mothers and differential presentations of child difficulties in the analysis of the relationship between MM and child behavioral difficulties and the development of MM interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Hobby
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amy L Bird
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michelle L Townsend
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Barnes
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, London, Greater London, UK
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3
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McNamara J, Mitchell AS, Russell S, Townsend ML, Herbert JS. Antenatal mind-mindedness and its relationship to maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant women. Health Care Women Int 2023; 44:1400-1422. [PMID: 34990336 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2021.2003800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, researchers aimed to investigate whether a relationship exists between maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) and antenatal mind-mindedness in a sample of Australian pregnant women (n = 43). Participants completed the Maternal Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS) in their second and third trimester, and a modified 'describe your baby' interview with the inclusion of general prompts as a measure of antenatal mind-mindedness in their third trimester. Positive correlations were observed between mental comments, but not total predictions, made by women during the modified antenatal mind-mindedness task and MFAS scores at the second and third trimesters. An average of 6.07 total predictions and 1.30 mental predictions were made before prompts, increasing to 17.65 total comments and 6.58 mental comments after prompts. Prompts within the mind-mindedness task resulted in 42 participants making at least one mental prediction (M = 6.58). Our findings provide the first evidence for a relationship between MFA and antenatal mind-mindedness, and highlight the importance of considering mind-mindedness during pregnancy in the developing bond from mother to baby.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine McNamara
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Early Start, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Annaleise S Mitchell
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Early Start, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sophie Russell
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Early Start, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle L Townsend
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jane S Herbert
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Early Start, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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4
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Bigelow AE, Power M, Dadgar H. Maternal mind-mindedness over infants' first three months. Infant Behav Dev 2023; 72:101864. [PMID: 37454575 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Maternal mind-mindedness refers to mothers' ability to reflect upon their infants' mental states and respond appropriately. The present study assessed mind-mindedness longitudinally from the newborn period to the infant age of three months. The study is the first to assess maternal mind-mindedness in the infant's early life prior to three months (one week, one month, two months, three months). To measure maternal mind-mindedness, mothers' speech to their infants is coded for mental state comments about the infants' thoughts, desires, and emotions. Appropriate mind-minded comments are judged to accurately reflect the infants' mental states; non-attuned mind-minded comments are judged to misinterpret the infants' mental states. Mothers' individual stability (rank order stability) and group level continuity (mean level of stability across the infant ages) were assessed. Mothers showed modest temporal stability in both appropriate and non-attuned mind-mindedness over the infants' first three months. The continuity of mind-mindedness showed that appropriate mind-mindedness increased over the infant ages, but non-attuned mind-mindedness showed no change. In infants' early lives, mothers' ability to accurately interpret their infants' mental states is enhanced as the mother-infant relationship develops and infants become more communicative partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann E Bigelow
- Department of Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Michelle Power
- Department of Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Hadi Dadgar
- Department of Psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
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5
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Vagos P, Mateus V, Silva J, Araújo V, Xavier A, Palmeira L. Mother-infant bonding in the first nine months postpartum: the role of mother's attachment style and psychological flexibility. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37525320 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2242379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mother's bond to the infant in the postpartum period plays an important role in the subsequent mother-infant relationship and the infant's socio-emotional functioning. Several maternal characteristics, such as attachment style and psychological flexibility, may contribute to the quality of mother-infant bonding, though literature examining these variables is still scarce. The present study aimed to examine the impact of mother's attachment on mother-infant bonding in the first month postpartum and the mediating role of psychological flexibility on that association. METHODS Participants were 226 mothers of an infant up to 9 months old, who reported on their own attachment style (in terms of anxiety, comfort with proximity, trust in others), psychological flexibility (in terms of openness to experience, behavioural awareness, valued action) and mother-infant bonding. RESULTS Results showed that mother's attachment anxiety predicted a bond with the infant directly and indirectly via mother's psychological flexibility, specifically through behavioural awareness and valued action. Trust in others had an impact on mother-infant bonding through behavioural awareness, whereas comfort with proximity influenced mother-infant bond indirectly, via valued action. Finally, mothers' civil status, schooling and number of children were relevant to better understand the variance of our mediating and dependent variables. DISCUSSION Our findings highlight the importance of mother's attachment and psychological flexibility in promoting the quality of mother-infant bonding, which can inform future intervention programmes targeting modifiable factors, such as psychological flexibility, to promote early positive parent-infant relationships, particularly for single, first-time mothers, with higher levels of education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Vagos
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
- William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vera Mateus
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Silva
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vânia Araújo
- Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Xavier
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lara Palmeira
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Baldisserotto ML, Griep RH, Oates J, Theme-Filha MM. Cross-cultural adaptation of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) to Brazil: assessment of the measurement properties of construct validity and reliability. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03742-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Yang R, Zhang L, Wu X, Fu Q, Bao Q. Caregivers' mind-mindedness and rural left-behind young children's insecure attachment: The moderated mediation model of theory of mind and family status. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 124:105472. [PMID: 34991010 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND China's rapid development and urbanization since the early 1980s have compelled many rural residents to move from rural to urban areas for work, leaving thousands of children at home. OBJECTIVE This study tested the mediating effect of children's theory of mind on the relationship between caregivers' mind-mindedness and their children's insecure attachment differently depending on the different family status (the moderator) of left-behind and non-left-behind. PARTICIPANTS The participants were 3 to 6 years old 74 left-behind children (LBHC) and 89 non-left-behind children (NLBHC). SETTINGS Participants were from rural counties of central China in Henan province that has experienced a large labor migration. METHODS A cross-sectional moderated mediation model linked mind-mindedness (independent variable) and insecure attachment (dependent variable) through the theory of mind (mediator) and family status (moderator: left-behind/non-left-behind), controlling for age, gender, and siblings. RESULTS First, LBHC scored higher on insecure-disorganized attachment than NLBHC. Second, the early childhood theory of mind mediated the relationship between the caregiver's mind-mindedness and young children's insecure attachment. Third, family status moderated the effects of the theory of mind on insecure attachment. The mediating role was established only for the left-behind family, and the lower theory of mind ability was associated with the greater insecure attachment of LBHC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the critical role of mind-mindedness, theory of mind, and family status in the attachment theory and clarify the association between different levels of young children's theory of mind and insecure attachment based on family status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, China.
| | - Lijin Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, China; Shaanxi Provincial Key Research Center of Child Mental and Behavioral Health, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Xi'an, China.
| | - Xiujuan Wu
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, China
| | - Qianqian Fu
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, China
| | - Qing Bao
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, China
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Aldrich NJ, Chen J, Alfieri L. Evaluating associations between parental mind-mindedness and children’s developmental capacities through meta-analysis. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2021.100946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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9
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Conti G, Poupakis S, Sandner M, Kliem S. The effects of home visiting on mother-child interactions: Evidence from a randomized trial using dynamic micro-level data. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 115:105021. [PMID: 33684828 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home visiting programs constitute an important policy to support vulnerable families with young children. One of their principal aims is to improve infant-parent relationships, so a key measure of their effectiveness is based on observational measures of parent-children interactions. In the present study we provide novel evidence on the effectiveness of home visiting programs in improving mother-child interactions within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Pro Kind program. A major goal of the Pro Kind program is to promote child development by strengthening the intuitive parenting skills of mothers. On this basis, the following research question is addressed in this paper: What is the impact of the Pro Kind home visitation program on the quality of mother-child interaction? METHODS A randomly chosen subsample of the original sample was selected to participate on video recordings. This subsample of 109 mother-child dyads was videotaped during a 3-min typical play situation at the participants' homes when the child was aged 25 months. We use a novel micro-coding system which allows us to examine how the intervention affected the dynamic feedback responses of both mothers and children in three key measures of behavior: orientation, positive contingency, and negative/lack of contingency. The analysis was conducted using a set of static probit models and dynamic cross-lagged panel probit models for each measure. RESULTS The intervention significantly improved the interactions between girls and their mothers, by increasing the prevalence of orientation and positive contingency (and reducing that of negative/lack of contingency). This was achieved by increasing both the persistence of positive behaviors and also the probability of switching from negative to positive behaviors in the treatment group. Mixed impacts were detected for boys. CONCLUSIONS Overall, it can be said that the Pro Kind program has a positive impact on the quality of mother-daughter interaction. However, our findings might also influence the design and delivery of home visiting programs, to the extent that they suggest that more attention has to be devoted to the interactions between boys and their mothers. Furthermore, the results show the importance of careful dynamic modelling of interactions data from videotaped observations to have a more complete understanding of the effectiveness of home visiting programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Conti
- Department of Economics and Social Research Institute, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Stavros Poupakis
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Malte Sandner
- Institute for Employment Research Institute, IAB, Germany
| | - Sören Kliem
- Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena - University of Applied Sciences, Germany
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10
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Rutherford HJV, Bunderson M, Bartz C, Haitsuka H, Meins E, Groh AM, Milligan K. Imagining the baby: Neural reactivity to infant distress and mind-mindedness in expectant parents. Biol Psychol 2021; 161:108057. [PMID: 33640474 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Neural and psychological processes in pregnancy may be important antecedents for caregiving postpartum. Employing event-related potentials, we examined neural reactivity to infant emotional faces during the third trimester of pregnancy in expectant mothers (n = 38) and expectant fathers (n = 30). Specifically, expectant parents viewed infant distress and infant neutral faces while electroencephalography was simultaneously recorded. As a psychological measure, we assessed prenatal mind-mindedness towards the unborn child and examined whether neural processing of infant cues was associated with levels of mind-mindedness. Expectant fathers evidenced greater P300 reactivity to infant distress, relative to neutral, faces than expectant mothers. Furthermore, P300 reactivity to infant distress, relative to infant neutral, faces was associated with levels of prenatal mind-mindedness in expectant fathers but not expectant mothers. These findings indicate significant sex differences in the prenatal neural processing of infant cues and relations between neural reactivity to infant distress and the emergence of parental mind-mindedness.
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11
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O’Neill MC, Badovinac S, Pillai Riddell R, Bureau JF, Rumeo C, Costa S. The longitudinal and concurrent relationship between caregiver sensitivity and preschool attachment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245061. [PMID: 33481826 PMCID: PMC7822304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the concurrent and longitudinal relationship between caregiver sensitivity and preschool attachment measured using the Main and Cassidy (1988) and Cassidy and Marvin (1992) attachment classification systems. This review was pre-registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; Registration Number CRD42017073417) and completed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The present review identified 36 studies made up of 21 samples (N = 3, 847) examining the relationship between caregiver sensitivity and preschool attachment. Eight primary meta-analyses were conducted separately according to the proximity of the assessment of sensitivity to attachment (i.e., concurrent versus longitudinal), operationalization of caregiver sensitivity (i.e., unidimensional versus multidimensional) and attachment categorizations (i.e., secure-insecure versus organized-disorganized). Overall, the meta-analyses revealed higher levels of caregiver sensitivity among caregivers with secure and organized preschoolers, relative to insecure and disorganized preschoolers, respectively. Medium effect sizes (g = .46 to .59) were found for both longitudinal and concurrent associations between caregiver sensitivity and preschool attachment when a unidimensional measure of caregiver sensitivity was employed, compared to small to medium effect sizes (g = .34 to .49) when a multidimensional measure of caregiver sensitivity was employed. Child age at attachment measurement was a significant moderator of the longitudinal association between unidimensional caregiver sensitivity and preschool attachment. Future directions for the literature and clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rebecca Pillai Riddell
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry Research, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Carla Rumeo
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stefano Costa
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Choi EJ, Taylor MJ, Vandewouw MM, Hong SB, Kim CD, Yi SH. Attachment security and striatal functional connectivity in typically developing children. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2021; 48:100914. [PMID: 33517105 PMCID: PMC7847968 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.100914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Attachment security is formed through interactions with a main caregiver during the first three years of life and reflects inter-individual differences in mental representations for the relationship. The striatum is known to be a key structure to initiate attachment behaviours and maintain attachment relationships as well as to modulate reward-related processing as part of the approach module in current neurobiological models of human attachment. Although findings have suggested critical roles of the striatum in inter-individual differences in attachment, most studies were based on a wide variety of tasks and very few have investigated these associations in intrinsic brain connectivity in typically developing children. In the present study, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined the striatal functional connectivity according to children’s attachment security in 68 nine-year-olds (Secure attachment = 39, Insecure attachment = 29, mean age/SD = 9.62/0.69). Children with secure attachment demonstrated increased functional connectivity in the tempro-limbic region, compared to children with insecure attachment. In addition, the child-reported attachment security scores were negatively associated with the caudate-prefrontal connectivity, but positively with the putamen-visual area connectivity. These data demonstrate that inter-individual differences in attachment can be captured in striatal functional connectivity organization in the typical brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jung Choi
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Neuroscience & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Departments of Psychology and Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Marlee M Vandewouw
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Neuroscience & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Soon-Beom Hong
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Dai Kim
- Department of Education, College of Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Hyung Yi
- Department of Child and Family Studies, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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13
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Larkin F, Schacht R, Oostenbroek J, Hayward E, Fernyhough C, Muñoz Centifanti LC, Meins E. Mind-mindedness versus mentalistic interpretations of behavior: Is mind-mindedness a relational construct? Infant Ment Health J 2020; 42:176-187. [PMID: 33326150 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Mind-mindedness is a measure of the tendency to represent significant others in internal state terms and is central to supportive parent-infant relationships. The two studies reported here explored whether mind-mindedness generalizes to representations of unknown individuals, using a novel task that assessed individual differences in adults' tendency to interpret others' behavior with reference to their internal states: the Unknown Mother-Infant Interaction Task (UMIIT). We compared UMIIT performance with measures of mind-mindedness from (a) adults' descriptions of close friends and partners (Study 1, N = 96) and (b) mothers' appropriate versus nonattuned comments on their infants' internal states (Study 2, N = 56). In line with the proposal that mind-mindedness is a relational construct, UMIIT performance was unrelated to mind-mindedness in both studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fionnuala Larkin
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK.,Department of Psychology, York St John University, Lord Mayor's Walk, York, YO31 7EX, UK
| | - Robin Schacht
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | | | - Emily Hayward
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
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14
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Opie JE, McIntosh JE, Esler TB, Duschinsky R, George C, Schore A, Kothe EJ, Tan ES, Greenwood CJ, Olsson CA. Early childhood attachment stability and change: a meta-analysis. Attach Hum Dev 2020; 23:897-930. [PMID: 32772822 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2020.1800769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Examining degrees of stability in attachment throughout early childhood is important for understanding developmental pathways and for informing intervention. Updating and building upon all prior meta-analyses, this study aimed to determine levels of stability in all forms of attachment classifications across early childhood. Attachment stability was assessed between three developmental epochs within early childhood: infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool/early school. To ensure data homogeneity, only studies that assessed attachment with methods based on the strange situation procedure were included. Results indicate moderate levels of stability at both the four-way (secure, avoidant, resistant, and disorganised; κ = 0.23) and secure/insecure (r = 0.28) levels of assessment. Meta-regression analysis indicated security to be the most stable attachment organisation. This study also found evidence for publication bias, highlighting a preference for the publication of significant findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Opie
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jennifer E McIntosh
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,The Bouverie Centre, School of Psychology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Timothy B Esler
- NeuroEngineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Carol George
- Psychology Department, Mills College, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Allan Schore
- David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioural Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Emily J Kothe
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Evelyn S Tan
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Christopher J Greenwood
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Craig A Olsson
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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15
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Giovanelli C, Di Dio C, Lombardi E, Tagini A, Meins E, Marchetti A, Carli L. Exploring the relation between maternal mind-mindedness and children's symbolic play: A longitudinal study from 6 to 18 months. INFANCY 2020; 25:67-83. [PMID: 32749041 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Relations between mothers' mind-mindedness (appropriate attunement to their infants' internal states) at 6 and 12 months and infants' early symbolic play during infant-mother pretense at 12 and 18 months were investigated in a sample of 43 mothers and infants. Mothers' appropriate mind-related comments were associated with average level, length, complexity, and maturity level of symbolic play. Specific sub-categories of appropriate mind-related comments were identified as independent predictors of children's symbolic play. Appropriate comments about desires and cognitions at 6 months were associated with average level and length of episodes, as well as with maturity level of symbolic play at 12 months. Longitudinal stability in the appropriateness and content of mothers' mind-related comments was also investigated. The results are discussed in terms of the proposal that attunement to specific types of internal state should vary as a function of infant age in order to index mind-mindedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Giovanelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Di Dio
- Research Unit on Theory of Mind, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lombardi
- Research Unit on Theory of Mind, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Tagini
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Marchetti
- Research Unit on Theory of Mind, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Carli
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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16
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Horn SR, Fisher PA, Pfeifer JH, Allen NB, Berkman ET. Levers and barriers to success in the use of translational neuroscience for the prevention and treatment of mental health and promotion of well-being across the lifespan. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 129:38-48. [PMID: 31868386 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuroscientific tools and approaches such as neuroimaging, measures of neuroendocrine and psychoneuroimmune activity, and peripheral physiology are increasingly used in clinical science and health psychology research. We define translational neuroscience (TN) as a systematic, theory-driven approach that aims to develop and leverage basic and clinical neuroscientific knowledge to aid the development and optimization of clinical and public health interventions. There is considerable potential across basic and clinical science fields for this approach to provide insights into mental and physical health pathology that had previously been inaccessible. For example, TN might hold the potential to enhance diagnostic specificity, better recognize increased vulnerability in at-risk populations, and augment intervention efficacy. Despite this potential, there has been limited consideration of the advantages and limitations of such an approach. In this article, we articulate extant challenges in defining TN and propose a unifying conceptualization. We illustrate how TN can inform the application of neuroscientific tools to realistically guide clinical research and inform intervention design. We outline specific leverage points of the TN approach and barriers to progress. Ten principles of TN are presented to guide and shape the emerging field. We close by articulating ongoing issues facing TN research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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17
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Smorti M, Ponti L, Ghinassi S, Rapisardi G. The mother-child attachment bond before and after birth: The role of maternal perception of traumatic childbirth. Early Hum Dev 2020; 142:104956. [PMID: 31986464 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.104956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The quality of the mother-child attachment bond is a relevant factor for the psychosocial well-being of a child. However, some variables could affect this relationship, such as a perceived traumatic childbirth experience. The aim of this study was to explore the mediating role of the childbirth experience on the relationship between prenatal and postnatal attachment. A predictive study was conducted on 105 pregnant women aged 26 to 44 years. The data was collected at two different times: at week 31-32 of gestation (T1) and three months after childbirth (T2). The quality of maternal prenatal attachment has a significant and direct effect on postnatal mother-child attachment. Moreover, the quality of prenatal attachment represents a protective factor for the quality of childbirth experience, promoting a higher quality of postnatal attachment bond. Our results highlight the importance of supporting women throughout the perinatal period, starting from pregnancy to after childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Smorti
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Ponti
- Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, Via San Salvi, 12, Pad. 26, 50135 Florence, Italy.
| | - Simon Ghinassi
- Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, Via San Salvi, 12, Pad. 26, 50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Gherardo Rapisardi
- Department of Infancy and Adolescence Mental Health, USL Toscana Centro, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
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18
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Anderson JR. Inviting Autonomy Back to the Table: The Importance of Autonomy for Healthy Relationship Functioning. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2020; 46:3-14. [PMID: 31621096 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Autonomy, or self-determination, is a key ingredient in promoting relationship flourishing. Although autonomy has long been an important concept in the family therapy field (labeled differentiation; Family therapy in clinical practice, 1978), definitional confusions and the ascendency of attachment theory and attachment-based clinical approaches to treating couples have relegated autonomy to a minor role at best and a caricature of rugged individualism and antirelational separateness at worst. Given recent research showing the importance of autonomy for the development of secure attachment in children and the key role autonomy plays in healthy intimate partner functioning, the concept of autonomy needs to take a more central role in our research and clinical practice with couples.
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19
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Does attachment security predict children’s thinking-about-thinking and thinking-about-feeling? A meta-analytic review. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2019.100885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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20
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Planalp EM, O'Neill M, Braungart-Rieker JM. Parent mind-mindedness, sensitivity, and infant affect: Implications for attachment with mothers and fathers. Infant Behav Dev 2019; 57:101330. [PMID: 31228665 PMCID: PMC6875615 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.101330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previous research examining links between parenting and attachment has focused on behavioral aspects of parenting such as sensitivity. However, by assessing how parents reflect on infants' mental states (mind-mindedness) we gain a broader understanding of parenting and how it impacts attachment. Mothers, fathers, and their infants (N = 135) participated in the Still Face Paradigm (SFP) at 3-, 5-, and 7- months of age, and the Strange Situation with mothers at 12 months and fathers at 14 months. Parent sensitivity and infant affect were coded from the SFP and all videos were transcribed and later coded for parents' use of appropriate and non-attuned mind-mindedness toward their infants. Attachment with each parent was coded from the Strange Situation. Mixed effects models examined trajectories of parents' mind-mindedness in relation to parent sensitivity and infant affect across attachment groups. Significant differences between parent gender and attachment category were detected. Specifically, parents who were less sensitive were also less mind-minded toward insecure-avoidant infants; parents used more non-attuned mind-mindedness when infants had higher negative affect. Findings suggest that, in addition to parent sensitivity, parents' use of appropriate and non-attuned mind-mindedness during a parent-infant interaction provides insight into the developing attachment relationship for mothers and fathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Planalp
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, United States.
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21
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Magro SW, Fraley RC, Roisman GI. Early Maternal Sensitivity and Teacher-Student Relationship Quality Across Grade School: Enduring or Transient Associations? Child Dev 2019; 91:e883-e901. [PMID: 31631330 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Although teacher-student relationships are assumed to in part reflect early caregiving quality, their social provisions also undergo notable normative change over the course of primary school, shifting from a secure base for social exploration to an instrumental relationship centered on achieving academic goals. This report leveraged prospective, longitudinal data from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 1,306, 52% male, 77% White/non-Hispanic) to investigate whether the association between early caregiving and subsequent teacher-student relationship quality remains stable or diminishes in magnitude over time. Associations between early maternal sensitivity and teacher-student closeness faded from Kindergarten to Grade 6. In contrast, associations between early caregiving and teacher-student conflict endured and were partially accounted for by child externalizing problems.
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22
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Dai Q, McMahon C, Lim AK. Cross-cultural comparison of maternal mind-mindedness among Australian and Chinese mothers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0165025419874133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that parental mind-mindedness is important for children’s social-emotional development; however, almost all research exploring mind-mindedness has been conducted with families from Western backgrounds. The current study explored cross-cultural differences in mind-mindedness based on observed real-time interactions between urban Australian ( N = 50, M age = 30.34 years, SD = 3.14) and urban mainland Chinese ( N = 50, M age = 29.18 years, SD = 4.14) mothers and their toddlers (Australian: M age = 18.98 months, SD = 0.87; Chinese: M age = 18.50 months, SD = 2.25). Controlling for education, the Australian mothers used a higher proportion of appropriate mind-related comments and were less likely to use non-attuned mind-related comments than their Chinese counterparts, adjusting for total number of comments. Transcript analysis showed that the Australian mothers used more mental state terms referring to desires and preferences than Chinese mothers. Findings are discussed in relation to cultural influences in child-rearing goals, beliefs, and values and the need for cross-cultural validation of the mind-mindedness construct.
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23
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Larkin F, Oostenbroek J, Lee Y, Hayward E, Meins E. Proof of concept of a smartphone app to support delivery of an intervention to facilitate mothers' mind-mindedness. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220948. [PMID: 31437173 PMCID: PMC6705768 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study reports on the first evaluation of a parenting intervention utilizing a smartphone app, BabyMind. The intervention aimed to facilitate mothers' mind-mindedness-attunement to their infants' internal states. Mothers in the intervention group (n = 90) used the BabyMind app from their infants' births and were followed up at age 6 months (n = 66). Mothers in the control group (n = 151) were recruited when their infants were age 6 months and had never used the BabyMind app. Mind-mindedness when interacting with their infants was significantly higher in intervention group mothers than in control group mothers. The intervention was equally effective in facilitating mind-mindedness in young and older mothers. These findings are discussed in terms of the potential for interventions utilizing smartphone apps to improve parenting and children's developmental outcome in vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fionnuala Larkin
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, England, United Kingdom
| | - Janine Oostenbroek
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Yujin Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, England, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Hayward
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, England, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Meins
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, England, United Kingdom
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24
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Barnes J, Theule J. Maternal depression and infant attachment security: A meta-analysis. Infant Ment Health J 2019; 40:817-834. [PMID: 31415711 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to clarify the magnitude of the association between maternal depression and infant attachment nonsecurity, and to identify possible moderators of this relationship. An extensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases of both published and unpublished studies. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between maternal depression and infant attachment security and to establish the effect size. The main findings from this meta-analysis, which included 42 studies, indicate that there is a small, yet significant, relationship between maternal depression and infant attachment nonsecurity. The rate of nonsecurity in infants of mothers with depression was approximately 20% higher than expected rates in a nonclinical population, and the association between depressive symptoms and nonsecurity was small, but significant. Infants of mothers with depression were nearly twice as likely to have a nonsecure attachment than were infants of healthy mothers. Depression measure and maternal sample source were identified as significant moderators of the odds ratio effect size. Results of this study demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between maternal depression and infant attachment nonsecurity, and suggest that interventions that focus on both maternal mental health and the attachment relationship are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Barnes
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jennifer Theule
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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25
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Lunn J, Lewis C, Gannon E. Parent-child mentalizing in pediatric epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 96:6-12. [PMID: 31075650 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child psychopathology involves inappropriate or biased attributions of others' mental states (mentalizing), and parents' assessment of their children's mentalizing significantly predicts the latter's psychosocial outcomes. Behavioral difficulties are frequent in children with epilepsy (CWE) yet biased mentalizing and parental accuracy in understanding their child's mental states reasoning have not been addressed. METHODS This study compared the performance of 34 CWE aged 9 to 16 years with 67 language age-matched controls on a biased mentalizing task. The task required children to infer on the mental states of peers in stories involving social scenarios. Responses were scored as positive, negative, or rational mentalizing attributions. To measure parental accuracy, a parent version was administered in the patient group that required a parent to identify their child's responses correctly. Relationships with the child's cognitive, behavioral, and epilepsy-related factors were examined. RESULTS Patients made greater negative mental states attributions compared with control children. This negative mentalizing bias was accurately identified by parents and was associated with children's behavioral problems. Parental accuracy was reduced for patients with lower cognitive abilities. Parents did not accurately identify an overly positive (OP) bias in their child's mental states attributions. Children's positive response bias correlated with their lower executive function (EF) skills. Epilepsy factors predicted cognitive deficits but not biased mentalizing or behavioral problems. CONCLUSION Biased mentalizing characterizes social cognition in CWE with behavioral problems. Further investigation of the mentalizing biases and parental awareness of children's mental states reasoning is required to fully understand the greater psychosocial and behavioral difficulties found in CWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Lunn
- Lancaster Medical School, Furness College, Lancaster University, LA1 4YF, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Charlie Lewis
- Psychology Department, Fylde College, Lancaster University, LA1 4YF, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Emily Gannon
- Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield S10 3TH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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26
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Miller JE, Kim S, Boldt LJ, Goffin KC, Kochanska G. Long-term sequelae of mothers' and fathers' mind-mindedness in infancy: A developmental path to children's attachment at age 10. Dev Psychol 2019; 55:675-686. [PMID: 30525830 PMCID: PMC6422742 DOI: 10.1037/dev0000660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Rapidly growing research on parental mind-mindedness, a tendency to treat one's young child as a psychological agent and an individual with a mind, internal mental states, and emotions, has demonstrated significant links among parents' mind-mindedness, their parenting, and multiple aspects of children's development. This prospective longitudinal study of 102 community mothers, fathers, and infants, followed from 7 months to 10 years, contributes to research on mind-mindedness by addressing several existing gaps and limitations. We examine mechanisms that account for associations between parents' early mind-mindedness and children's future attachment security, using robust behavioral measures. Teams of trained observers coded parents' mind-minded comments to their infants at 7 months during naturalistic interactions, parents' responsiveness in naturalistic interactions and in elicited imitation tasks at 15 months, and children's security, using Attachment Q-Set at 2 years and Iowa Attachment Behavioral Coding at 10 years. Sequential mediation analyses supported a model of a developmental path from parents' appropriate mind-minded comments in infancy to children's security at age 10. For mothers and children, the path was mediated first through responsiveness at 15 months and then security at 2 years. For fathers and children, the path was mediated through attachment security at 2 years. Parents' nonattuned mind-minded comments had no effects on responsiveness or security. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E Miller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa
| | | | - Lea J Boldt
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa
| | - Kathryn C Goffin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa
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Armstrong VG, Dalinkeviciute E, Ross J. A dyadic art psychotherapy group for parents and infants – piloting quantitative methodologies for evaluation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ART THERAPY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/17454832.2019.1590432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Josephine Ross
- Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Dundee, UK
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Sedmak D, Hrvoj-Mihić B, Džaja D, Habek N, Uylings HB, Petanjek Z. Biphasic dendritic growth of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex associative neurons and early cognitive development. Croat Med J 2018. [PMID: 30394011 PMCID: PMC6240825 DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2018.59.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim To analyze postnatal development and life-span changes of apical dendrite side branches (oblique dendrites) from associative layer IIIC magnopyramidal neurons in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and to compare the findings with the previously established pattern of basal dendrite development. Methods We analyzed dendritic morphology from 352 rapid-Golgi impregnated neurons (10-18 neurons per subject) in Brodmann area 9 from the post-mortem tissue of 25 subjects ranging in age from 1 week to 91 years. Data were collected in the period between 1994 and 1996, and the analysis was performed between September 2017 and February 2018. Quantitative dendritic parameters were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and two-tailed t tests. Results Oblique dendrites grew rapidly during the first postnatal months, and the increase in the dendrite length was accompanied by the outgrowth of new dendritic segments. After a more than one-year-long “dormant” period of only fine dendritic rearrangements (2.5-16 months), oblique dendrites displayed a second period of marked growth, continuing through the third postnatal year. Basal and oblique dendrites displayed roughly the same growth pattern, but had considerably different topological organization in adulthood. Conclusion Our analysis confirmed that a biphasic pattern of postnatal dendritic development, together with a second growth spurt at the age of 2-3 years, represents a unique feature of the associative layer IIIC magnopyramidal neurons in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We propose that these structural changes relate to rapid cognitive development during early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zdravko Petanjek
- Zdravko Petanjek, Department of Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Šalata 11, Zagreb, Croatia,
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29
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Sedmak D, Hrvoj-Mihić B, Džaja D, Habek N, Uylings HB, Petanjek Z. Biphasic dendritic growth of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex associative neurons and early cognitive development. Croat Med J 2018; 59:189-202. [PMID: 30394011 PMCID: PMC6240825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To analyze postnatal development and life-span changes of apical dendrite side branches (oblique dendrites) from associative layer IIIC magnopyramidal neurons in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and to compare the findings with the previously established pattern of basal dendrite development. METHODS We analyzed dendritic morphology from 352 rapid-Golgi impregnated neurons (10-18 neurons per subject) in Brodmann area 9 from the post-mortem tissue of 25 subjects ranging in age from 1 week to 91 years. Data were collected in the period between 1994 and 1996, and the analysis was performed between September 2017 and February 2018. Quantitative dendritic parameters were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and two-tailed t tests. RESULTS Oblique dendrites grew rapidly during the first postnatal months, and the increase in the dendrite length was accompanied by the outgrowth of new dendritic segments. After a more than one-year-long "dormant" period of only fine dendritic rearrangements (2.5-16 months), oblique dendrites displayed a second period of marked growth, continuing through the third postnatal year. Basal and oblique dendrites displayed roughly the same growth pattern, but had considerably different topological organization in adulthood. CONCLUSION Our analysis confirmed that a biphasic pattern of postnatal dendritic development, together with a second growth spurt at the age of 2-3 years, represents a unique feature of the associative layer IIIC magnopyramidal neurons in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We propose that these structural changes relate to rapid cognitive development during early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zdravko Petanjek
- Zdravko Petanjek, Department of Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Šalata 11, Zagreb, Croatia,
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Tarabeh G, Zreik G, Oppenheim D, Sagi-Schwartz A, Koren-Karie N. Maternal mind-mindedness and its association with attachment: the case of Arab infants and mothers in Israel. Attach Hum Dev 2018; 21:571-581. [PMID: 29716433 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2018.1469653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
We examined the association between maternal Mind-Mindedness (MM) and secure attachment in an Arab sample in Israel. Seventy-six infant-mother dyads were observed during free play to assess maternal MM and in the Strange Situation Procedure to assess attachment. Mothers of secure infants were hypothesized to use more appropriate and fewer non-attuned mind-related comments than mothers of insecure infants. The results showed that mothers of secure infants used more appropriate mind-related comments than mothers of disorganized infants, with no significant differences compared to mothers of ambivalent infants. Also, mothers of secure infants used less non-attuned mind-related comments than both mothers of disorganized infants and mothers of ambivalent infants. In addition, the findings showed that: (1) mothers of secure infants were most likely to show the combination of high appropriate and low non-attuned mind-related comments; (2) mothers of disorganized infants were most likely to show the combination of high non-attuned and low appropriate mind-related comments; and (3) a nonsignificant trend indicated that mothers of ambivalent infants were most likely to show a combination of high appropriate and high non-attuned mind-related comments.The findings support the relevance of MM in an Arab sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gubair Tarabeh
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
| | - Ghadir Zreik
- Department of Psychology, Max Stern Yezreel Valley College , Afula , Israel
| | - David Oppenheim
- Department of Psychology and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
| | - Avi Sagi-Schwartz
- Department of Psychology and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
| | - Nina Koren-Karie
- School of Social Work and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
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Caldas IFR, Garotti MF, Shiramizu VKM, Pereira A. The Socio-Communicative Development of Preterm Infants Is Resistant to the Negative Effects of Parity on Maternal Responsiveness. Front Psychol 2018; 9:43. [PMID: 29456516 PMCID: PMC5801293 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are born completely dependent on adult care for survival. To get the necessary support, newborns rely on socio-communicative abilities which have both innate and learned components. Maternal responsiveness (MR), as a critical aspect of mother-infant interaction, is a robust predictor of the acquisition of socio-communicative abilities. However, maternal responsiveness (MR) is influenced by parity, since mothers rely on a limited capacity of cognitive control for efficient attachment with their offspring. This fact is of particular concern for preterms, whose developing brain already faces many challenges due to their premature emergence from the womb's controlled environment and may still have to compete with siblings for mother's attention. Thus, in the present work, we aimed to understand how parity interferes with MR and whether it affects the development of socio-communicative abilities of preterm infants. We used the Social Interaction Rating Scale (SIRS) and the mother-child observation protocol in 18 dyads with gestational age <36 weeks. Dyads were separated into three groups: primiparous with twin pregnancy (TPM), primiparous (PM), and multiparous (MP). Dyadic behavior was evaluated at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Our results show that offspring size affects MR, but not the socio-communicative development of preterm infants during the first year, suggesting a level of resilience of brain systems supporting the attachment to caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivete F. R. Caldas
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Marilice F. Garotti
- Graduate Program for Research and Theory of Behavior, Institute of Human Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Antonio Pereira
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
- Institute of Technology, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
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McMahon CA, Bernier A. Twenty years of research on parental mind-mindedness: Empirical findings, theoretical and methodological challenges, and new directions. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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