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Flatebø S, Óturai G, Hernik M. No evidence for adult smartphone use affecting attribution of communicative intention in toddlers: Online imitation study using the Sock Ball Task. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300874. [PMID: 38517933 PMCID: PMC10959379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Adults infer others' communicative intentions, or lack thereof, from various types of information. Young children may be initially limited to attributions based on a small set of ostensive signals. It is unknown when richer pragmatic inferences about communicative intentions emerge in development. We sought novel type of evidence for such inferences in 17-to-19-month-olds. We hypothesized that toddlers recognize adults' smartphone use in face-to-face interactions as incongruous with ostension and would rely on this interpretation when inferring the communicative intention of a model in a new imitation task conducted entirely online, dubbed the Sock Ball Task. In Experiment 1 with a between-subject design, we tested the hypothesis by assessing toddlers' (N = 48) imitation of sub-efficient means and the goal-outcome presented by a model, who interrupted her ostensive demonstration either by using a smartphone or by fiddling with her wristwatch, depending on the condition. We expected toddlers to imitate the sub-efficient means more faithfully in the wristwatch condition than in the smartphone condition. But there was no significant effect of condition on imitation of neither means nor goal. Thus, our hypothesis was not borne out by the results. In Experiment 2, using a within-subject design, we first assessed toddlers' (N = 24) performance in a no-demonstration baseline and then again after a no-disruption ostensive demonstration. In all three conditions with ostensive demonstration (Experiment 1: smartphone, wristwatch; Experiment 2: no-disruption), toddlers produced the demonstrated sub-efficient means significantly above the baseline level. In the no-disruption condition, goals were also imitated significantly above the baseline level. We conclude that the Sock Ball Task is a valid research tool for studying toddler imitation of novel means actions with objects. We end by discussing suggestions for improving the task in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solveig Flatebø
- Department of Psychology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gabriella Óturai
- Department of Psychology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mikołaj Hernik
- Department of Psychology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Ballarotto G, Murray L, Bozicevic L, Marzilli E, Cerniglia L, Cimino S, Tambelli R. Parental sensitivity to toddler's need for autonomy: An empirical study on mother-toddler and father-toddler interactions during feeding and play. Infant Behav Dev 2023; 73:101892. [PMID: 37839158 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
During the second year of life, children's need for autonomy grows, and their behaviors become increasingly complex. Parental sensitivity to children's different cues is important in supporting adaptive psycho-emotional development. The present study assumes that mothers and fathers may respond with varying levels of sensitivity to the child's different cues, with particular attention to requests for greater autonomy. The study also examines the possible role played by interactive contexts (ie., play and feeding) and children's and parents' individual factors. The sample comprised N = 91 families with children aged between 12 and 24 months. Mother-toddler and father-toddler interactions were assessed during feeding and play. Parents completed questionnaires assessing children's temperament, psychopathological risk, and parenting stress. RESULTS: showed that toddlers' demands for autonomy were the most frequent cues in both play and feeding contexts, both with mothers and fathers. Furthermore, parents were more sensitive to toddlers' requests for cooperation than their requests for autonomy, in both interactive contexts. Moreover, mothers and fathers showed higher sensitivity to toddlers' demands for greater autonomy in the play context rather than in the feeding context. Mothers were more sensitive than fathers to toddlers' cues of resistance to parents' actions and to toddlers' requests for cooperation. Results showed differences and specificities in mother-toddler and father-toddler interactions in the two interactive contexts, showing associations between child negative emotionality, parental psychopathological risk and parenting stress, and maternal and paternal sensitivity to toddlers' demands for greater autonomy during play and feeding, respectively. These results confirm the initial hypotheses regarding parental sensitivity and its differential expression according to child cues. Implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ballarotto
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - L Murray
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, Earley Gate, University of Reading, United Kingdom
| | - L Bozicevic
- Institute of Population Health, Department of Primary Care & Mental Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - E Marzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - L Cerniglia
- Department of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
| | - S Cimino
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - R Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Federica G, Renata T, Marzilli E. Parental Postnatal Depression in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Its Effects on the Parent-Child Relationship and the Child's Developmental Outcomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2018. [PMID: 36767385 PMCID: PMC9915850 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The international literature has shown that maternal and paternal postnatal depression (PND) is one of the most common mental illnesses in the perinatal period, with significant consequences for parent-infant relationships and infant development. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the rates of prevalence of PND, exacerbating the mental health risk for new families. This systematic review aims to examine the effect of maternal and paternal PND on parent-infant relationships and children's development in the first 36 months after childbirth during the COVID-19 outbreak. Eligible studies were identified using the following databases: Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Of the 1252 studies considered, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that maternal PND significantly affected the quality of the early mother-infant relationship and the infant's motor, self-regulation, and socio-emotional development. In addition, the detrimental impact of maternal PND on the quality of early mother-infant relationships seems to become stronger as COVID-19 concerns increase. No studies included fathers. These findings strengthened the importance of planning targeted prevention and treatment strategies to prevent PND and its short- and long-term consequences, especially in the case of stressful and traumatic events. They also suggested the urgent need for further exploration of fathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genova Federica
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Tambelli Renata
- Department of Dynamic, Clinical & Health Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marzilli
- Department of Dynamic, Clinical & Health Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Tambelli R, Ballarotto G, Trumello C, Babore A. Transition to Motherhood: A Study on the Association between Somatic Symptoms during Pregnancy and Post-Partum Anxiety and Depression Symptoms. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12861. [PMID: 36232161 PMCID: PMC9564583 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Several authors found that somatic symptoms during pregnancy such as nausea, vomiting, and levels of sleep, and fear of childbirth were associated with women's post-partum psychopathological difficulties. The present study aimed to verify whether fear of childbirth can mediate the relationship between some somatic symptoms experienced during pregnancy (i.e., nausea, vomiting, and daily sleep duration) and the post-partum depressive and anxious symptoms. N = 258 mothers of children between 3 and 6 months of age filled out self-report questionnaires assessing somatic symptoms during pregnancy, fear of childbirth, and anxious and depressive symptoms during post-partum. Results showed that levels of vomiting during pregnancy (but not nausea and daily sleep duration) was associated with post-partum depression and anxiety. Furthermore, findings showed that fear of childbirth partially mediated the relationships between the levels of vomiting during pregnancy and post-partum state anxiety and depression. These results can have several clinical implications, allowing to implement preventive programs for post-partum depression, considering vomiting and fear of childbirth as important risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Ballarotto
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmen Trumello
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessandra Babore
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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Trumello C, Ballarotto G, Ricciardi P, Paciello M, Marino V, Morelli M, Tambelli R, Babore A. Mothers and fathers of pre-school children: a study on parenting stress and child's emotional-behavioral difficulties. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-12. [PMID: 36035250 PMCID: PMC9395769 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03599-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to analyze the differences between maternal and paternal parenting stress and children's behavioral functioning, as determined by teacher and parent reports. In addition, it sought to evaluate the presence of clusters based on parenting stress and to determine whether perceptions of children's behavioral functioning varied across these clusters. The sample was composed of the parents and teachers of N = 201 children. Parents completed a self-report questionnaire on parenting stress and parents and teachers filled out report-form questionnaires assessing children's emotional and behavioral functioning. The results showed that mothers had higher levels of parenting stress than fathers, and both parents reported more prosocial behavior in children than did teachers. Furthermore, middle stressed parents had children who expressed more prosocial behavior than did parents in other clusters. The findings also showed that parenting stress influenced partners' perceptions of children's behavioral functioning. The multiplicity of child observers facilitated a better understanding of how parenting stress, linked to parent-child interactions, may play an important role in shaping parents' perceptions of their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Trumello
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giulia Ballarotto
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Piera Ricciardi
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marinella Paciello
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Marino
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mara Morelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Babore
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
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Psychological Functioning, Defense Strategies and the Contribution of Perceived Family Collaboration in Adolescents Who Experienced Multiple Motor Vehicle Crashes: A Descriptive Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159448. [PMID: 35954805 PMCID: PMC9368723 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents frequently experience motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). Research has mostly underlined the psychological outcomes, rather than adolescents’ general emotional–behavioral functioning and the role played by family. This study aims to explore the emotional–behavioral functioning, measured with the Youth Self Report (YSR), difficulties to identify and describe emotions, measured with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the use of defense strategies, measured with the Response Evaluation Measure for Youth (REM-71), and perceived family collaboration, measured with the Perceived Collective Family scale, in adolescents that have experienced more than three MVCs in a year. N = 150 adolescents who visited an emergency department for MVCs were assessed through self-report questionnaires. Adolescents showed difficulties to identify and describe their emotions and a massive use of defense strategies. Moreover, lower perceived family collaboration predicted adolescents’ alexithymic traits and the massive use of maladaptive defense strategies. These results may be useful in assessing and creating prevention programs for risky driving behaviors in adolescence.
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