MATERNAL SENSITIVITY TO INFANT DISTRESS: EXAMINING POTENTIAL PREDICTORS IN A LOW-INCOME SAMPLE
Open Access
- Author:
- Scott, Julie
- Graduate Program:
- Counseling Psychology
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 05, 2019
- Committee Members:
- Kathleen Bieschke, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Kathleen Bieschke, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Jeffrey Hayes, Committee Member
Benjamin D Locke, Committee Member
Ginger A Moore, Outside Member
Susan S Woodhouse, Special Member - Keywords:
- sensitivity to distress
maternal sensitivity
attachment theory - Abstract:
- The aim of the current study was to build understanding of potential factors linked with a mother’s behavior towards her distressed infant. Infant crying is emotionally and physiologically arousing for mothers and may challenge or interfere with a mother’s ability to respond sensitively to infant distress. The current study builds upon previous research by examining potential links between maternal sensitivity in a distress context and maternal emotional and physiological responses to one’s own infant’s distress (i.e., self-reported emotional reactions and a physiological measure of vagal regulation, respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]), as well as two important predictors of sensitivity (i.e., parenting goals and mind-mindedness). Direct links as well as interactions were examined. Participants included 100 mothers and their 6-month old infants. The racially and ethnically diverse sample was selected to include low-income households. When considered all together, the demographic control variables of income, education, and race accounted for 21% of the variance in maternal sensitivity to distress. None of the interactions were significant, but maternal goals were significantly associated with sensitivity to distress, even after accounting for the influence of demographic factors. No significant links were found between maternal sensitivity and maternal emotions, maternal vagal regulation, or maternal mind-mindedness within this sample. It is important for researchers to better understand sensitivity to distress, including the predictors of sensitivity, across diverse groups, and the current study contributes to this growing and greatly needed body of literature.