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Kochanska G, An D. The parent's and the child's internal working models of each other moderate cascades from child difficulty to socialization outcomes: Preliminary evidence for dual moderation? Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:504-517. [PMID: 36751863 PMCID: PMC10406975 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422001365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Infants' difficulty, typically characterized as proneness to negative emotionality, is commonly considered a risk for future maladaptive developmental trajectories, mostly because it often foreshadows increased parental power assertion, typically linked to future negative child outcomes. However, growing evidence of divergent developmental paths that unfold from infant difficulty has invigorated research on causes of such multifinality. Kochanska et al. (2019) proposed that parent and child Internal Working Models (IWMs) of each other are key, with the parent's IWM of the child moderating the link between child difficulty and parental power assertion, and the child's IWM of the parent moderating the link between power assertion and child outcomes. In Children and Parents Study (200 community mothers, fathers, and children), child difficulty was observed at 8 months, parents' power assertion at 16 months, and children's outcomes rated by parents at age 3. Parents' IWMs were assessed with a mentalization measure at 8 months and children's IWMs were coded from semi-projective narratives at age 3. The cascade from infant difficulty to maternal power assertion to negative child outcomes was present only when both the mother's and the child's IWMs of each other were negative. We did not support the model for father-child dyads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna Kochanska
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA52242-1407, USA
| | - Danming An
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA52242-1407, USA
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Hyysalo N, Sorsa M, Flykt M. Preschool children’s coping and caregiver support in families with maternal substance misuse: A qualitative study. NORDIC PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19012276.2022.2085160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Noora Hyysalo
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Minna Sorsa
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Nursing Science, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Child Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marjo Flykt
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of psychology and logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Langevin R, Cossette L, Hébert M. Emotion Dysregulation in Sexually Abused Preschoolers: Insights from a Story Completion Task. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2020; 29:468-489. [PMID: 31621527 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2019.1678542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Child sexual abuse (CSA) during the preschool period can seriously undermine children's ability to develop emotional competency. Narrative tasks, such as the MacArthur Story Stem Battery (MSSB), are particularly adapted to gain a better understanding of young children's self-regulation processes. To explore the emotion regulation competencies of sexually abused preschoolers, we developed a coding grid and undertook a detailed analysis of abused and non-abused children's narratives using the MSSB. A sample of 62 sexually abused and 65 non-abused preschoolers 3½ to 6½ years old was recruited and children were presented with nine stories and an expressive vocabulary test. Analyses were performed to compare abused and non-abused children's narratives and to assess the contribution of CSA to children's narratives. CSA was associated with fewer demonstrations of empathy, help, and comfort, and less coherent and resolved stories. The narratives of CSA victims also included less emotions and emotional variations. The influence of CSA appeared the strongest in the stories involving fear. These findings suggest the presence of emotion dysregulation among sexually abused preschoolers, but also insecure attachment, and a sense of betrayal, isolation, and powerlessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Langevin
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Louise Cossette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Martine Hébert
- Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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Yoo YS, Adamsons KL, Robinson JL, Sabatelli RM. Longitudinal Influence of Paternal Distress on Children's Representations of Fathers, Family Cohesion, and Family Conflict. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2015; 24:591-607. [PMID: 25995610 PMCID: PMC4435614 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-013-9870-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A parent's distress is known to color children's experiences of their families. Studies, however, have rarely focused on the levels of distress experienced by fathers, and in particular, as they affect the emotional experiences of their children. We examine the impact that fathers' experience of distress throughout their children's early years has on children's emerging narrative representations of father-child relationships and of family conflict and cohesion. In this longitudinal investigation, fathers of young children reported their distress on two occasions in relation to self, the marital relationship, and the family climate. Fathers also concurrently reported on their children's temperament, specifically negative emotionality. Children responded to story stem beginnings about challenging situations in the family and their narratives were scored for dysregulated negative-disciplinary and positive parental behaviors of fathers, family conflict themes, and family harmony themes. It was hypothesized that children of more distressed fathers would represent greater dysregulated fathering and higher levels of family conflict, and lower levels of positive fathering and family harmony than children of less distressed fathers. Further, the study examined whether this effect was mediated through the fathers' reports of their children's negative emotionality. Results partially supported the hypothesized direct and indirect effects. Children's narratives of negative-disciplinary fathering and family conflict were more common in boys when fathers reported greater distress, and temperament ratings fully mediated this effect. However, their narratives of positive fathering and family harmony were not significantly affected. That positive family features were preserved in children's narratives even in the face of greater father distress suggests that families may be able to build resilience to internalized distress through these positive narrative features.
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Scholtens S, Rydell AM, Bohlin G, Thorell LB. ADHD symptoms and attachment representations: considering the role of conduct problems, cognitive deficits and narrative responses in non-attachment-related story stems. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2015; 42:1033-42. [PMID: 24562639 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-014-9854-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The overall aim of the present study was to investigate ADHD symptoms in relation to attachment representations. We used both attachment- and non-attachment-related story stems, which allowed us to investigate whether problems with narrative production can explain the relation between ADHD symptoms and attachment representations. We also investigated the role of cognitive deficits and conduct problems in these relations. The sample consisted of 89 children (27 % girls) between 6 and 10 years old, with an oversampling of children with high levels of ADHD symptoms. ADHD symptoms and conduct problems were rated by parents and teachers. Cognitive functioning was investigated using laboratory tests of inhibition, working memory and sustained attention. Attachment representations were coded as secure, organized insecure and disorganized categories. Narrative responses to non-attachment-related story stems were coded for incoherence and negative content. Results showed that children in the disorganized attachment category had significantly higher levels of ADHD symptoms compared to those in the secure category. Both ADHD symptoms and disorganized attachment were related to incoherence and negative content. Attachment representations were not associated with ADHD symptoms when controlling for negative content in response to non-attachment-related story stems. These results suggest that the associations between attachment security and ADHD are yet to be fully understood. Importantly, a propensity to envisage negative events seems to characterize children with high levels of ADHD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Scholtens
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Box 1225, 75142, Uppsala, Sweden
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Popp JM, Robinson JL, Britner PA, Blank TO. Parent adaptation and family functioning in relation to narratives of children with chronic illness. J Pediatr Nurs 2014; 29:58-64. [PMID: 23973569 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study assessed the experience of parents who have a child diagnosed with chronic illness and whether children's narratives mirror these experiences. METHOD A total of 66 parents completed assessments about adaptation and family functioning. Children with type 1 diabetes or asthma participated in a story-stem narrative task. RESULTS Forty-one percent of parents were unresolved about their child's diagnosis, regardless of time since diagnosis. Unresolved parents reported lower family functioning, and children in these families had more family conflict themes. CONCLUSIONS Parental/Child narratives may provide unique insights into family adjustment. Future work may consider interventions related to family communication and expression of emotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Popp
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford CT; Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT.
| | - JoAnn L Robinson
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
| | - Preston A Britner
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
| | - Thomas O Blank
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
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Sher-Censor E, Grey I, Yates TM. The intergenerational congruence of mothers’ and preschoolers’ narrative affective content and narrative coherence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT 2013. [DOI: 10.1177/0165025413482760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Intergenerational congruence of mothers’ and preschoolers’ narratives about the mother–child relationship was examined in a sample of 198 Hispanic (59.1%), Black (19.2%), and White (21.7%) mothers and their preschool child. Mothers’ narratives were obtained with the Five Minute Speech Sample and were coded for negative and positive affective content and narrative coherence. Preschoolers’ narratives were collected with the MacArthur Story Stem Battery and were coded for the portrayal of the mother-child relationship and narrative coherence. Across ethnoracial groups, maternal narrative coherence, but not narrative affective content, was related to preschoolers’ positive portrayal of the mother–child relationship. Our findings highlight the importance of maternal narrative coherence for understanding intergenerational continuity of relational representations.
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Pass L, Arteche A, Cooper P, Creswell C, Murray L. Doll Play Narratives About Starting School in Children of Socially Anxious Mothers, and Their Relation to Subsequent Child School-Based Anxiety. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2012; 40:1375-84. [DOI: 10.1007/s10802-012-9645-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fitzgerald HE. Commentary: Difficulties assessing social and emotional behavior in large-scale national studies. Infant Ment Health J 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/imhj.20160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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