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Schneider I, Fuchs A, Herpertz SC, Lobo FM. Microsocial analysis of dyadic interactions with toddlers and mothers with borderline personality disorder. Arch Womens Ment Health 2023; 26:589-597. [PMID: 37438620 PMCID: PMC10491556 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01346-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is known for disruptions in mother-child interaction, but possible underlying patterns of micro-behavior are barely understood. This is the first study examining behavioral dyadic synchrony-the coordinated and reciprocal adaptation of behavior-and regulation on a micro-level and relating it to macro-behavior in mothers with BPD and their toddlers. Twenty-five mothers with BPD and 29 healthy mothers participated with their 18- to 36-month-old toddlers in a frustration-inducing paradigm. Mother and toddler behavior was continuously micro-coded for gaze, affect, and vocalization. Synchrony, operationalized as the simultaneous engagement in social gaze and positive affect, and (co-)regulative behaviors and their contingencies were analyzed and associated with borderline symptom severity, the overall quality of interaction, and child internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems. Dyads with mothers with BPD showed significantly less synchrony compared to dyads with healthy mothers. Low synchrony was associated with high BPD symptom severity and low overall interaction quality. Dyads with BPD used the same amount of regulative behaviors as dyads with healthy mothers. Though both groups equally responded to children's negative emotionality, mothers with BPD were less effective in drawing the dyad back into synchrony. For dyads with BPD, regulative behaviors were negatively associated with child externalizing behaviors. BPD symptomology may reduce the effectiveness of mothers' attempts to attune to their child's needs. An emphasis on synchrony and regulative behaviors may be an important therapeutic target for parenting programs in mothers with BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Schneider
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Voßstr. 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Anna Fuchs
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Blumenstr. 8, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Voßstr. 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frances M Lobo
- Department of Psychology, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 294 Eberhart Building, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA
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Shao R, Liu S, Coplan RJ, Chen X, Liu J. Examining a Complex Model Linking Maternal Reflective Functioning, Maternal Meta-Emotion Philosophies, and Child Emotion Regulation. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1161. [PMID: 37508658 PMCID: PMC10378255 DOI: 10.3390/children10071161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF) refers to parents' ability to understand their children's behavior in light of underlying mental states such as thoughts, desires, and intentions. This study aimed to investigate whether maternal meta-emotion philosophies (i.e., emotion coaching, emotion dismissing) mediated the relation between maternal RF and child emotion regulation (ER). Additionally, children's genders and ages were examined as moderators of the associations between maternal RF and maternal meta-emotion philosophies. The sample comprises 667 Chinese mothers of children aged 4-6 years. Mothers completed questionnaires assessing their reflective functioning, emotion coaching and dismissing, and child emotion regulation. Results indicated both a direct link between maternal RF and child emotion regulation, as well as indirect pathways mediated by emotion coaching and dismissing. A child's gender and age also moderated the relations between maternal RF and meta-emotion philosophies. Specifically, the negative association between maternal pre-mentalizing modes and emotion coaching was stronger for mothers of girls than boys; whereas the negative association between maternal certainty of mental states and emotion dismissing, as well as the positive association between maternal interest and curiosity and emotion coaching were both stronger for mothers of younger children than older children. The findings suggest that emotion coaching and dismissing mediate the relation between maternal PRF and the emotion regulation of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Shao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East of China Normal University, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Sitong Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East of China Normal University, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Robert J Coplan
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Xi Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East of China Normal University, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Junsheng Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East of China Normal University, Shanghai 200050, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200335, China
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Hale ME, Morrow KE, George AM, Gayer A, Caughy MO, Suveg C. Maternal negative affect moderates behavioral and physiological synchrony in Latinx and Black mother-child dyads. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22394. [PMID: 37338257 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Positive behavioral synchrony (PBS) between mothers and children involves the bidirectional exchange of verbal and nonverbal communication. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) synchrony reflects the concordance between mother-child physiological states. Both PBS and RSA synchrony can be undermined by psychopathology symptoms. Latinx and Black families may experience contextual stressors that contribute to heightened symptoms of psychopathology, yet minimal research has examined relations between psychopathology symptoms with PBS and RSA synchrony in these families. The present study assessed associations between maternal depressive and child internalizing symptoms, mother and child negative affect (NA), and PBS and RSA synchrony in a sample of 100 Latina and Black mothers (Mage = 34.48 years, SD = 6.39 years) and their children (Mage = 6.83 years, SD = 1.50 years). Dyads engaged in a video-recorded stress task where RSA was collected continuously. Videos were later coded for PBS and mother and child NA. Mothers reported on their depressive and child's internalizing symptoms. Maternal NA was associated with weak PBS and negative RSA synchrony. Neither depressive and internalizing symptoms nor child NA were associated with PBS or RSA synchrony. Results highlight the potency of maternal NA on behavioral and physiological synchrony in Latinx and Black families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly E Hale
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Kayley E Morrow
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrea M George
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Amy Gayer
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Margaret O Caughy
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Cynthia Suveg
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Léniz-Maturana L, Vilaseca R, Leiva D. Non-Intrusive Maternal Style as a Mediator between Playfulness and Children’s Development for Low-Income Chilean Adolescent Mothers. CHILDREN 2023; 10:children10040609. [PMID: 37189858 DOI: 10.3390/children10040609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between low-income Chilean adolescent maternal playfulness and mothers’ non-intrusiveness in their children’s development and to analyze whether a mother’s non-intrusiveness mediates the relationship between maternal playfulness and children’s development. The Parental Playfulness Scale and the Subscale of Intrusiveness from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project were used to assess maternal playfulness and mothers’ non-intrusiveness respectively. Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd Edition (ASQ-3) was applied to measure the children’s communication, gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving and personal–social development. The sample consisted of 79 mother–child dyads with children aged 10–24 months (M = 15.5, SD = 4.2) and their mothers aged 15–21 years old (M = 19.1, SD = 1.7). A bivariate analysis showed that maternal playfulness was significantly associated with communication, fine motor, problem-solving and personal–social development. Moreover, higher levels of communication, fine motor skills and problem-solving development were observed in the children of less intrusive mothers. Maternal playfulness had a significant effect on children’s development of language, problem-solving and personal–social skills when their mothers showed less intrusiveness during interaction. These findings contribute to the understanding of the interaction between adolescent mothers and their children. Active play and less intrusiveness can enhance child development.
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Golds L, Gillespie‐Smith K, Nimbley E, MacBeth A. What factors influence dyadic synchrony? A systematic review of the literature on predictors of mother-infant dyadic processes of shared behavior and affect. Infant Ment Health J 2022; 43:808-830. [PMID: 35913364 PMCID: PMC9540815 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Dyadic behavioral synchrony is a complex interactional process that takes place between the mother and her infant. In the first year of life, when the infant is prelinguistic, processes such as synchrony enable the dyad to communicate through shared behavior and affect. To date, no systematic review has been carried out to understand the risk and protective factors that influence behavioral synchrony in the mother-infant dyad. The aim of this review was to identify and evaluate the factors that influence behavioral synchrony in the mother-infant dyad, when the infant is between 3 and 9 months old. Key electronic databases were searched between 1970 and April 2021, and 28 eligible studies were identified for review. As the results were largely heterogeneous, four subgroups of factors were identified: (i) infant demographics, (ii) physiological factors, (iii) maternal mental health, and (iv) miscellaneous factors. Identified risk factors and covariates suggest that social determinants of health, underpinned by biological factors, play a large role in influencing behavioral synchrony within the dyad. Implications for the need to identify additional risk and protective factors, as well as design support for at-risk families are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Golds
- School of Health in Social ScienceUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | | | - Emy Nimbley
- School of Health in Social ScienceUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Angus MacBeth
- School of Health in Social ScienceUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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Harden BJ, Martoccio TL, Berlin LJ. Maternal Psychological Risk Moderates the Impacts of Attachment-Based Intervention on Mother-Toddler Mutuality and Toddler Behavior Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2021:10.1007/s11121-021-01281-0. [PMID: 34448111 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-021-01281-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although there is robust evidence of the benefits of attachment-based parenting interventions, limited research has examined their impact on dyadic mutuality and toddler behavior problems. Given the central question in prevention research of what works for whom, and the documented relation of maternal psychological risk to parenting and intervention response, it is important to consider the moderating role of maternal psychological risk in the efficacy of attachment-based interventions. The current study extends prior research on a randomized controlled trial of Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) by examining its impact on dyadic mutuality and the moderating role of maternal psychological risk in ABC's impact on dyadic mutuality and toddler behavior problems. ABC (10 sessions) was provided as a supplement to Early Head Start (EHS) for a sample of predominantly low-income Latinx families. Control families received home-based EHS plus 1 book per week for 10 weeks. We administered a psychosocial interview and video-recorded parent-toddler interaction pre- and post-intervention. Using intent-to-treat analyses, we found main effects of ABC on dyadic mutuality. We conducted latent class analysis to identify patterns of interrelationships among indicators of baseline maternal risk exposure to characterize a latent risk factor and used this factor to examine the moderating role of maternal psychological risk in ABC's impact on dyadic mutuality and toddler behavior problems. ABC seemed to be particularly beneficial for the development of positive, synchronous dyadic interactions and for reduction of toddler behavior problems in higher-risk EHS families. Findings are discussed in the context of designing and evaluating preventive interventions, with a specific focus on families at psychological risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa J Berlin
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Fu L, Weng J, Feng M, Xiao X, Xiao T, Fu J, Qiu N, Li C, Da Y, Ke X. Predictors of Change in Play-Based Communication and Behavior Intervention for High-Risk ASD: The Role of Mother-Child Dyadic Synchrony. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:581893. [PMID: 33344381 PMCID: PMC7738436 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.581893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Interindividual variability is important in the evolution of adaptative profiles of children with ASD having benefited from an early intervention make up for deficits in communication, language and social interactions. Therefore, this paper aimed to determine the nature of factors influencing the efficacy variability of a particular intervention technique i.e., "Play-based communication and behavior intervention" (PCBI). Methods: The participants comprised 70 13-30-month-old toddlers with ASD enrolled in PCBI for 12 weeks. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) was used to evaluate the efficacy of PCBI. Video recordings of 5 min of free-play before and after PCBI were used to examine behaviors of mothers and children and parent-child dyadic synchrony. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses and machine learning algorithms were performed to explore the effect of these potential predictors (mothers' factors, children's factors and videotaped mother-child interaction) of intervention efficacy. Results: The hierarchical regression analysis and the machine learning algorithms indicated that parenting stress, level of completion of training at home and mother-child dyadic synchrony were crucial factors in predicting and monitoring the efficacy of PCBI. Conclusions: In summary, the findings suggest that PCBI could be particularly beneficial to children with ASD who show a good performance in the mother-child dyadic synchrony evaluation. A better dyadic mother-child synchrony could enhance the PCBI efficacy through adapted emotional and behavioral responses of the mother and the child and has a beneficial influence on the child's psychological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Fu
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiao Weng
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Three Hospital of Longyan, Longyan, China
| | - Min Feng
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Xiao
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junli Fu
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Nana Qiu
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Da
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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