Mother-child Emotional Availability Research Articles

Intergenerational transmission of mental health risk in refugee families: The role of maternal psychopathology and emotional availability.

To prevent an intergenerational cycle of malfunction, it is crucial to understand how mothers' exposure to traumatic war experiences contributes to their children's vulnerability to mental health problems. This study examined the role of maternal psychopathology and mother-child emotional availability (EA) in the association between mothers' trauma exposure and children's mental health problems in a sample of 222 Burundian mother-child dyads living in refugee camps in Tanzania. Maternal and child EA were assessed through recorded observations of mother-child interactions. In structured clinical interviews, mothers reported on their lifetime exposure to traumatic events and their psychopathology and both mothers and fathers reported on children's emotional and behavioral problems. Structural equation modeling showed that mothers' higher trauma exposure was indirectly associated with higher levels of children's mental health problems through higher levels of maternal psychopathology. Mothers' higher trauma exposure was also directly associated with lower maternal EA in mother-child interactions, which was in turn related to higher levels of children's mental health problems. The findings suggest that trauma exposure independently affects mothers' mental health and their EA, which can contribute to children's mental health problems. Interventions aiming to reduce mothers' psychopathology and strengthen their EA may be beneficial for children's well-being.

Improving Early Diagnosis of Child Neglect for a Better Response in Healthcare Settings.

Early diagnosis of child neglect is an ongoing challenge with consequences of the child’s safety, health, and effective referral for intervention. This study aims to obtain a selected set of family, maternal, and dyadic variables of the immediate caregiving environment for diagnosis, preventive, and intervention responses in healthcare settings. Mothers and their children under five years old: 51 in the neglected group (NG) and 89 in the non-neglected control group (CG), were recruited through pediatric primary care services and social services in Spain. Family demographics, adverse events, childhood maltreatment, maternal psychopathologies, personality variables, and observed mother–child interactions were assessed. Gradient boosting analyses were applied for the contributor’s relative importance (RI), followed by logistic regression and discriminant analyses for those with higher RI. Parametric analyses showed high diagnostic accuracy (80–82% of NG and 92% of CG) for risky factors of child neglect: having a physically neglected and depressed mother, living in families in need of financial assistance, and large families; and for protective factors: having an older mother and showing higher mother–child emotional availability. Identifying a select group of features makes early diagnosis and preventive intervention more effective for mitigating the impact of child neglect and building mother–child resilience.

Improving the parent–child relationship and child adjustment through parental reflective functioning group intervention

ABSTRACT Parental reflective functioning (PRF) is a core element in the parent–child relationship. This study set out to investigate changes in PRF following the DUET program, a 12-week group intervention program. We proposed that the DUET intervention would enhance maternal reflective capacities, resulting in better mother-child emotional availability, better child self-regulation, and decreased child behavioral problems. Seventy mothers completed the DUET group intervention. Of these mothers, nine mothers were first allocated to the waiting-list group and thereafter were included in an intervention group. PRF was measured using observation (mind-mindedness) and an interview (PDI). Following the intervention, a significant improvement was evident in PRF, in parental beliefs about feeling, and in parental sense of efficacy. In addition, the mother–child interaction was more positive, child behavioral problems decreased, and child self-regulation increased. This improvement remained stable over a period of 6 months. Clinical and future directions of this study are discussed.

Distinctive Frontal and Occipitotemporal Surface Features in Neglectful Parenting.

Although the brain signatures of adaptive human parenting are well documented, the cortical features associated with maladaptive caregiving are underexplored. We investigated whether cortical thickness and surface area vary in a small group of mothers who had neglected their children (24 in the neglect group, NG) compared to a control group of mothers with non-neglectful caregiving (21 in the control group, CG). We also tested whether the cortical differences were related to dyadic mother-child emotional availability (EA) in a play task with their children and whether alexithymia involving low emotional awareness that characterizes the NG could play a role in the cortical-EA associations. Whole-brain analysis of the cortical mantle identified reduced cortical thickness in the right rostral middle frontal gyrus and an increased surface area in the right lingual and lateral occipital cortices for the NG with respect to the CG. Follow-up path analysis showed direct effects of the right rostral middle frontal gyrus (RMFG) on the emotional availability (EA) and on the difficulty to identify feelings (alexithymia factor), with a marginal indirect RMFG-EA effect through this factor. These preliminary findings extend existing work by implicating differences in cortical features associated with neglectful parenting and relevant to mother-child interactive bonding.

Developmental patterns of change in mother and child emotional availability from infancy to the end of the preschool years: A four-wave longitudinal study

In this four-wave longitudinal study, we examined intraindividual developmental patterns of change in mother-child emotional availability (EA) during infancy and the preschool years, the factors that promote or hinder it, and the longitudinal within-dyad association between maternal and child EA. Mother-infant dyads (N = 56) were observed at home when children were 6,12, 18 and 55-months-old. Multilevel growth modeling revealed that mother and child EA follow distinct trajectories across time. While maternal EA was found to be stable, a significant increase in child EA was found across the infancy years and into preschool. The results from the study also provide evidence for a sustained within-dyad relation between mother and child EA across time and suggest that mother, child, and contextual factors can create variations in the trajectories of maternal EA over time. The findings lead to a deeper understanding of the intraindividual changes that occur in mother and child EA across the infancy years and into preschool and the factors that can promote or hinder it.

Emotional Availability, Neuropsychological Functioning, and Psychopathology: The Context of Parental Substance Use Disorder.

Parental Substance Use Disorder (SUD) constitutes a high-risk condition for parent-child interactions and child development. Empirical evidence indicates high rates of psychopathology and neuropsychological impairments in individuals with SUD. Despite research indicating that parenting skills are related to psychological well-being and cognitive/neuropsychological functioning, prior studies have not examined the associations between these areas of parental functioning and the quality of parent-child interactions in the context of SUD. Aim(s). The present study adopts an integrated perspective to investigate the way in which maternal neuropsychological functioning and psychopathology are associated with mother-child emotional availability (EA), in the context of parental Substance Use Disorder. Methods. Twenty-nine mothers with SUD were assessed in interaction with their children, as well as with respect to their neuropsychological functioning and psychopathology. Results. In this group, high rates of maternal neuropsychological impairments and psychopathology, as well as generally low levels of EA, were uncovered. Regression analyses showed that maternal neuropsychological functioning was significantly associated with mother-child EA, specifically sensitivity; the role of maternal psychopathology, however, was only marginally significant. Conclusion. In the context of SUD, maternal neuropsychological impairments are significantly associated with mother-child EA. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Infant Massage and Quality of Early Mother-Infant Interactions: Are There Associations with Maternal Psychological Wellbeing, Marital Quality, and Social Support?

Infant massage programs have proved to be effective in enhancing post-natal development of highly risk infants, such as preterm newborns and drug or HIV exposed children. Less studies have focused on the role of infant massage in supporting the co-construction of early adult–child relationships. In line with this lack of literature, the present paper reports on a pilot study aimed at investigating longitudinally the quality of mother–child interactions, with specific reference to emotional availability (EA), in a group of mother–child pairs involved in infant massage classes. Moreover, associations between mother–child EA, maternal wellbeing, marital adjustment, and social support were also investigated, with the hypothesis to find a link between low maternal distress, high couple satisfaction and high perceived support and interactions of better quality in the dyads. The study involved 20 mothers and their children, aged between 2 and 7 months, who participated to infant massage classes. The assessment took place at three stages: at the beginning of massage course, at the end of it and at 1-month follow-up. At the first stage of assessment self-report questionnaires were administered to examine the presence of maternal psychiatric symptoms (SCL-90-R), perceived social support (MSPSS), and marital adjustment (Dyadic Adjustment Scale); dyadic interactions were observed and rated with the Emotional Availability Scales (Biringen, 2008) at each stage of data collection. The results showed a significant improvement in the quality of mother–child interactions, between the first and the last evaluation, parallel to the unfolding of the massage program, highlighting a general increase in maternal and child’s EA. The presence of maternal psychological distress resulted associated with less optimal mother–child emotional exchanges, while the hypothesis regarding couple satisfaction and social support influence were not confirmed. These preliminary results, if replicated, seem to sustain the usefulness of infant massage and the importance of focusing on early mother–infant interactions.

Maternal Weight Predicts Children's Psychosocial Development via Parenting Stress and Emotional Availability

Introduction: Maternal obesity has been shown to be a risk factor for obesity in children and may also affect children's psychosocial outcomes. It is not yet clear whether there are also psycho-emotional mechanisms explaining the effects of maternal weight on young children's weight and psychosocial development. We aimed to evaluate whether maternal body mass index (BMI), mother–child emotional availability (EA), and maternal parenting stress are associated with children's weight and psychosocial development (i.e., internalizing/externalizing symptoms and social competence) and whether these predictors interact with each other.Methods: This longitudinal study included three assessment points (~11 months apart). The baseline sample consisted of N = 194 mothers and their children aged 5–47 months (M = 28.18, SD = 8.44, 99 girls). At t1, we measured maternal weight and height to calculate maternal BMI. We videotaped mother–child interactions, coding them with the EA Scales (fourth edition). We assessed maternal parenting stress with the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) short form. At t1 to t3, we measured height and weight of children and calculated BMI–SDS scores. Children's externalizing and internalizing problems (t1–t3) and social competence (t3, N = 118) were assessed using questionnaires: Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 1.5–5), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ: prosocial behavior), and a checklist for behavioral problems at preschool age (VBV 3–6: social-emotional competence).Results: By applying structural equation modeling (SEM) and a latent regression analysis, we found maternal BMI to predict higher BMI–SDS and a poorer psychosocial development (higher externalizing symptoms, lower social competence) in children. Higher parenting stress predicted higher levels of externalizing and internalizing symptoms and lower social competence. Better maternal EA was associated with higher social competence. We found parenting stress to serve as a mediator in the association between maternal weight and children's psychosocial outcomes. Moreover, children of mothers with an elevated BMI were at greater risk of lower social competence only when their mothers showed low levels of maternal EA (moderation).Conclusion: Interventional studies are needed that investigate the causal pathways between parenting stress, mother–child interaction quality and child outcomes. These aspects might be targets to improve the psychosocial development of the offspring of overweight or obese mothers.

Inferior fronto-temporo-occipital connectivity: a missing link between maltreated girls and neglectful mothers.

The neurobiological alterations resulting from adverse childhood experiences that subsequently may lead to neglectful mothering are poorly understood. Maternal neglect of an infant’s basic needs is the most prevalent type of child maltreatment. We tested white matter alterations in neglectful mothers, the majority of whom had also suffered maltreatment in their childhood, and compared them to a matched control group. The two groups were discriminated by a structural brain connectivity pattern comprising inferior fronto-temporo-occipital connectivity, which constitutes a major portion of the face-processing network and was indexed by fewer streamlines in neglectful mothers. Mediation and regression analyses showed that fewer streamlines in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus tract (ILF-R) predicted a poorer quality of mother–child emotional availability observed during cooperative play and that effect depended on the respective interactions with left and right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi (IFO-R/L), with no significant impact of psychopathological and cognitive conditions. Volume alteration in ILF-R but not in IFO-L modulated the impact of having been maltreated on emotional availability. The findings suggest the altered inferior fronto-temporal-occipital connectivity, affecting emotional visual processing, as a possible common neurological substrate linking a history of childhood maltreatment with maternal neglect.

Types of Emotional Availability Among Mothers and Their Preschool Child : Relationship With Marital Relations and Mother's Psychological Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to explore the patterns of emotional availability among mothers and their preschool child and the relationship with marital relations and mother"s psychological characteristics. Participations in this study included 135 preschool children(71 boys, 64 girls) and their mother. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, cluster analysis, and One-way ANOVA were performed. The major results of this study were as follows: First, the level of mother-child emotional availability was found as that. The maternal sensitivity was just lower than the middle level, and maternal structuring, nonintrusiveness, and nonhostility were just higher than the middle level. The two children"s scales, responsiveness and involvement were above the middle level. Second, the mother-child emotional availability was correlated with the scores of marital conflict, marital satisfaction, and stress of parental role. Third, three cluster groups of emotional availability emerged reflecting synchrony and asynchrony between maternal and child behavior. And the mother’s psychological characteristics were different by the clusters of mother-child emotional availability

Types of Emotional Availability Among Mothers and Their Preschool Child : Relationship With Marital Relations and Mother's Psychological Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to explore the patterns of emotional availability among mothers and their preschool child and the relationship with marital relations and mother"s psychological characteristics. Participations in this study included 135 preschool children(71 boys, 64 girls) and their mother. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, cluster analysis, and One-way ANOVA were performed. The major results of this study were as follows: First, the level of mother-child emotional availability was found as that. The maternal sensitivity was just lower than the middle level, and maternal structuring, nonintrusiveness, and nonhostility were just higher than the middle level. The two children"s scales, responsiveness and involvement were above the middle level. Second, the mother-child emotional availability was correlated with the scores of marital conflict, marital satisfaction, and stress of parental role. Third, three cluster groups of emotional availability emerged reflecting synchrony and asynchrony between maternal and child behavior. And the mother’s psychological characteristics were different by the clusters of mother-child emotional availability

Emotional availability, understanding emotions, and recognition of facial emotions in obese mothers with young children

ObjectiveRecent research has identified mother–child relationships of low quality as possible risk factors for childhood obesity. However, it remains open how mothers' own obesity influences the quality of mother–child interaction, and particularly emotional availability (EA). Also unclear is the influence of maternal emotional competencies, i.e. understanding emotions and recognizing facial emotions. This study aimed to (1) investigate differences between obese and normal-weight mothers regarding mother–child EA, maternal understanding emotions and recognition of facial emotions, and (2) explore how maternal emotional competencies and maternal weight interact with each other in predicting EA. A better understanding of these associations could inform strategies of obesity prevention especially in children at risk. MethodsWe assessed EA, understanding emotions and recognition of facial emotions in 73 obese versus 73 normal-weight mothers, and their children aged 6 to 47months (Mchild age=24.49, 80 females). ResultsObese mothers showed lower EA and understanding emotions. Mothers' normal weight and their ability to understand emotions were positively associated with EA. The ability to recognize facial emotions was positively associated with EA in obese but not in normal-weight mothers. Maternal weight status indirectly influenced EA through its effect on understanding emotions. ConclusionMaternal emotional competencies may play an important role for establishing high EA in interaction with the child. Children of obese mothers experience lower EA, which may contribute to overweight development. We suggest including elements that aim to improve maternal emotional competencies and mother–child EA in prevention or intervention programmes targeting childhood obesity.

어머니-유아의 정서적 가용성과 유아의 유아교육기관 적응 - 유아 의도적 통제의 매개효과 검증

어머니-유아의 정서적 가용성과 유아의 유아교육기관 적응 - 유아 의도적 통제의 매개효과 검증

Looking beyond Maternal Sensitivity: Mother–Child Correlates of Attachment Security among Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Urban India

This study examined correlates of attachment security among children with intellectual disabilities in urban India. Survey and observational data were gathered from 47 children, mothers, and teachers on children's attachment security, adaptive functioning, and mother-child emotional availability. The data were analyzed to examine whether child emotional availability mediates the links between maternal emotional availability and child attachment security, and between child functioning and attachment security. The results supported full mediation, indicating that children's emotional availability was a primary mechanism through which maternal emotional availability and child functioning were linked to attachment security among children in our sample. The study findings are discussed in the context of implications for family interventions and research on socio-emotional development among children with intellectual disabilities.

Mother-Child Emotional Availability Mediating the Effects of Maternal Psychological Well-being and Child's Cognitive Competence on Child Behavior Problems

Recent intervention studies document that mother-child dyads with higher levels of Emotional Availability (EA) report fewer child behavior problems than dyads with lower EA. This study examines possible mechanisms that lead to this result by looking at the parent-child micro-system as a whole, with multi-dimensional relationships that include individual differences in the child's cognitive level, parental stress and parent-child interaction. A total 67 children (<TEX>$1{\frac{1}{2}}$</TEX> to <TEX>$5\;{\frac{1}{2}}$</TEX> years of age) and their mothers were videotaped during 30-min play interactions. Interactions were coded using the Emotional Availability (EA) Scales (Biringen, Robinson, & Emde, 1998). Mothers completed Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Child Behavior Checklist/<TEX>$1\;{\frac{1}{2}}$</TEX> - 5, and the Ages Stages Questionnaire. The findings showed that mothers with higher levels of parenting stress were more likely to be intrusive, hostile, insensitive, and had a tendency to do less structuring in play. The children of stressed and depressed mothers demonstrated less involvement and responsiveness towards their mothers. Children who have higher dyadic EA scores experienced fewer externalizing and internalizing problems. SEM analyses results showed a mediation effect of EA on the association between maternal psychological well-being and child behavior problems. Fewer deficits in child communication skills and problem solving skills that were related with lower parenting stress and depression were associated with higher maternal non-intrusiveness. Higher non-intrusiveness was related to less internalizing and externalizing problems that indicated the indirect effect of child cognitive competence. Possible interpretations and implications of the study findings are discussed.

유아의 나레이티브 반응 프로파일 유형별 어머니-유아의 정서적 가용성

The purpose of this study was to explore and examine the relationship between mother-child emotional availability and preschoolers` story stem narrative response. Eighty two 4-year-old preschoolers and their mothers participated in this study. This study used the following translated evaluation tools: Emotional Availability Scales(EA, 3rd edition) designed by Biringen and colleagues(1998) to examine the quality of the emotional relationship between mother and her child, and the MacArthur Story Stem Battery(MSSB) developed by Bretherton and colleagues with the MacArthur Narrative Group(1990) to measure preschoolers` narrative responses. The following statistical analyses were preformed descriptive, cluster analysis, and One-way ANOVA. The findings were as follows: First, 4 clusters of the narrative responses of 4-year-old preschoolers were prosocial story tellers, avoidant/dysregulated story tellers, constrained story tellers, and anxious story tellers. Second, the preschoolers in the prosocial cluster showed a high level of mother-child emotional availability and the preschoolers in the avoidant/dysregulated cluster showed a low level of mother-child emotional availability.

Child behavior and mother-child emotional availability in response to parent training program: moderators of outcome

The aim of this study was to assess changes in child behavior and mother-child emotional availability after mother's participation in a parent training program, and to assess the role of various factors which might explain individual variability in these changes. After mothers had participated in the parent training program they reported less child externalizing behavior problems and less child internalizing behavior problems. The child's preschool teacher also reported decreased child externalizing problems during the post-training assessment measure. Observational measures showed increased mother-child emotional availability. Post-training behavioral differences were found depending upon the child's age, with greater changes in positive mother-child emotional availability and preschool teachers reports of decreased internalizing behavior for the older group of children, 4 -5 years old. A decrease in child internalizing behavior was more prominent in families with more than one child.