Abstract
BackgroundThis study investigated developmental change and stability in infant responses to the still-face (SF) situation, as well as predictive validity at age 18 months, focusing on autonomy and responsiveness.MethodsA total of 231 children (117 boys and 114 girls) and their Japanese mothers were observed in a face-to-face SF situation at two infant ages (4 and 9 months), as well as a caregiver-child teaching interaction at age 18 months. Each infant’s facial expression, gaze direction, and vocalization were coded according to the SF paradigm, including the Natural Interaction (NI) and SF phases. Each child’s Autonomy and Responsiveness to the Caregiver at age 18 months were both evaluated by means of the Interaction Rating Scale.ResultsThe results indicated that negative facial expression and vocalization in the SF phases at age 9 months predicted the Autonomy rating at age 18 months, while positive facial expression and gaze toward the caregiver in the NI at age 9 months predicted the Responsiveness to Caregiver rating at age 18 months.ConclusionsThe results are discussed in the context of developmental continuity and change in the children’s social cognition and voluntary movements.
Highlights
This study investigated developmental change and stability in responses to the still-face (SF) situation during the first year of life, and predictive validity for age 18 months, focusing on social abilities
Procedures In order to evaluate each child’s autonomy and responsiveness toward the caregiver, we investigated their responses to the maternal SF situation at ages 4 and 9 months, followed by their caregiver-child teaching interaction at age 18 months
Negative Facial Expression showed the same pattern as Vocalization, but its path from the occurrence rate at age 9 months to the autonomy score at age 18 months was marginally significant and the estimate of standardized regression weight was −.18 (P = .055)
Summary
This study investigated developmental change and stability in responses to the still-face (SF) situation during the first year of life, and predictive validity for age 18 months, focusing on social abilities. During the early years of life, the relationship between a child and a caregiver has great importance and such interactions form the foundation of the child’s ability to organize and respond to his/her world. This study investigated developmental change and stability in infant responses to the still-face (SF) situation, as well as predictive validity at age 18 months, focusing on autonomy and responsiveness. Each child’s Autonomy and Responsiveness to the Caregiver at age 18 months were both evaluated by means of the Interaction Rating Scale. Conclusions: The results are discussed in the context of developmental continuity and change in the children’s social cognition and voluntary movements
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