Parenting skills, such as Autonomy Support (AS), have been proposed as a potential mechanism explaining the intergenerational contiguity of Executive Function (EF). However, few studies have... Show moreParenting skills, such as Autonomy Support (AS), have been proposed as a potential mechanism explaining the intergenerational contiguity of Executive Function (EF). However, few studies have focused on mothers and fathers among non-Western families. The current study investigated the role of maternal and paternal AS in the relation between parental EF and infant EF at 14 months of age among 123 Dutch and 63 Chinese first-time mothers and fathers and their infants. Multiple-group structural equation models were built for mothers and fathers separately with country as a grouping variable. Results showed that parental AS did not mediate the relation between parent EF and infant EF at 14 months. Mean-level differences were found in parental AS, maternal EF, and infant inhibition across countries, while no country differences were found in the relation between parent EF, AS and infant EF. Our findings suggested that individual differences in early EF may not be stable enough to be reliably predicted from parental factors across the Netherlands and China. Show less
The development of social-cognitive abilities in infancy is subject to an intricate interaction between maturation of neural systems and environmental input. We investigated the role of infants’... Show moreThe development of social-cognitive abilities in infancy is subject to an intricate interaction between maturation of neural systems and environmental input. We investigated the role of infants’ attachment relationship quality in shaping infants’ neural responses to observed social interactions. One-hundred thirty 10-month-old infants participated in an EEG session while they watched animations involving a distressing separation event that ended with either comforting or ignoring behavior. Frontal asymmetry (FA) in the alpha range - which is indicative of approach-withdrawal tendencies - was measured with EEG. Attachment quality was assessed using the Strange Situation procedure at 12 months. Overall, infants with disorganized attachment showed a lack of right-sided – withdrawal related – FA compared to secure and insecure infants. Furthermore, only avoidant infants exhibited reduced right-sided FA responses following the separation. Contrary to our expectations, the type of response (comforting vs. ignoring) did not elicit differences in FA patterns, and attachment quality did not moderate the effects of the type of response on frontal asymmetry. Implications for research on attachment-related biases in social information processing and on the neural underpinnings of prosocial behaviors are discussed. Show less
Alsarhi, K.M.H.; Rahma Prevoo, M.J.L.; Alink, L.R.A.; Mesman, J. 2021
This study represents the first video observation of parenting practices conducted in Yemen, where filming women is a taboo, and women are generally fully veiled, showing only their eyes, in the... Show moreThis study represents the first video observation of parenting practices conducted in Yemen, where filming women is a taboo, and women are generally fully veiled, showing only their eyes, in the presence of strangers. A total of 62 mothers and children (aged 2-6 years) were filmed in their homes for 15 min during free interaction. The mothers' veils were not experienced as hampering the coding of sensitivity. Consistent with the socioeconomically deprived context, average sensitivity levels were low, but over 25% of mothers were rated as (very) sensitive. About half of the mothers elected to have their child do household chores, which in turn was related to lower levels of sensitivity. Observations revealed frequent looking at the camera. Almost half of the mothers verbally expressed insecurity about the videotaping, and a third expressed awareness of being filmed. Interestingly however, these behaviors were unrelated to Ainsworth ratings of maternal sensitivity. Show less
In the context of urban slums in Makassar in Indonesia, this study aimed to test whether maternal sensitivity was associated with maternal history of childhood maltreatment, and whether this... Show moreIn the context of urban slums in Makassar in Indonesia, this study aimed to test whether maternal sensitivity was associated with maternal history of childhood maltreatment, and whether this association was mediated by current partner conflict and current cumulative sociodemographic risk. A total of 98 mothers and their 2-4 year-old children were videotaped in a naturalistic observation. Maternal sensitivity was coded using the Ainsworth scales. In addition, mothers were interviewed to assess childhood trauma, current partner conflict, and current sociodemographic risk. There was a significant negative correlation between maternal experienced childhood maltreatment and observed maternal sensitivity. Current partner conflict and sociodemographic did not mediate the association between childhood maltreatment and maternal sensitivity. Show less
Research is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents' own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects.... Show moreResearch is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents' own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects. The current study investigated in a sample of maltreating families whether effects of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) on parent-child interactive quality were moderated by parental childhood trauma. Families were randomized to receive AVI (n= 29) or a Psychoeducative intervention (PI;n= 19), or they were in anon-randomized comparison group (RS;n= 40). Parents filled out the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and videotapes of parent-child interactions were coded for interactive quality. Parents who received AVI showed improved parent-child interactive quality compared to parents in PI and RS groups. However, parents with more severe levels of childhood trauma showed less improvements. Future research should explore whether clinical attention with a specific focus on trauma would increase treatement effects. Show less
Research is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents' own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects.... Show moreResearch is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents' own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects. The current study investigated in a sample of maltreating families whether effects of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) on parent-child interactive quality were moderated by parental childhood trauma. Families were randomized to receive AVI (n= 29) or a Psychoeducative intervention (PI;n= 19), or they were in anon-randomized comparison group (RS;n= 40). Parents filled out the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and videotapes of parent-child interactions were coded for interactive quality. Parents who received AVI showed improved parent-child interactive quality compared to parents in PI and RS groups. However, parents with more severe levels of childhood trauma showed less improvements. Future research should explore whether clinical attention with a specific focus on trauma would increase treatement effects. Show less
