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Nir B, Sher-Censor E. Integrating attachment and linguistic perspectives on the coherence of narratives regarding close relationships: A qualitative illustration. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2024; 246:104242. [PMID: 38636405 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
In this multidisciplinary study, we offer an integrative view on the coherence of narratives regarding close relationships. We show how coherence, as conceptualized by attachment researchers, is manifested in discursive syntactic structure, as conceptualized by linguists. To illustrate this correspondence, we use narratives of six mothers about their adolescent child and their relationship. Narratives were elicited with the widely used Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) procedure and were coded according to the FMSS-coherence manual, tapping their clarity, consistency, and multidimensionality. In addition, the syntactic constructions employed by mothers were analyzed. FMSS were segmented into Clause Packages (CPs). Within CPs, overt syntactic markers, such as 'because,' as well as unmarked thematic and pragmatic relations, such as new vs. given information, were categorized as reflecting different levels of integration between clauses. As we demonstrate, mothers whose narratives were rated as more coherent employed more integrated CPs. We conclude by discussing the multi-layered nature of coherence. We consider how a multidisciplinary approach to coherence can enrich the understanding of personal narratives and open a new direction for research of close relationships as well as inform functional analyses of the linguistic expression of coherence.
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Oppenheim D, Koren-Karie N, Slonim M, Mottes-Peleg M, Sher-Censor E, Dolev S, Yirmiya N. Maternal and paternal insightfulness and reaction to the diagnosis in families of preschoolers with Autism spectrum disorder: associations with observed parental sensitivity and inter-parent interaction. Attach Hum Dev 2024; 26:22-40. [PMID: 38451115 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2024.2326416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Sensitivity among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is based on parental insightfulness and on resolution regarding the child's diagnosis. This has been supported in studies of mothers, and we examined whether the same is true regarding fathers. Also, we asked whether parents' Insightfulness and Resolution tap general mentalization and therefore also be expressed in parent-parent interactions. Eighty preschooler boys with ASD and both of their parents participated. As expected, fathers who were more insightful and mothers who were more resolved were more sensitive. Contrary to expectations, no associations were found between fathers' resolution and mothers' insightfulness and their sensitivity. Associations were found between parental insightfulness and resolution and positive parent-parent interaction. The findings are the first to demonstrate the insightfulness-sensitivity link among fathers of children with ASD. Also, they suggest that both insightfulness and resolution involve general mentalization that is evident both in parent-child and parent-parent interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Oppenheim
- School of Psychological Sciences and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nina Koren-Karie
- School of Social Work and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michal Slonim
- School of Psychological Sciences and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michal Mottes-Peleg
- School of Psychological Sciences and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Efrat Sher-Censor
- School of Psychological Sciences and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Smadar Dolev
- Oranim Academic College of Education, Department of Early Childhood Education, Tivon, Israel
| | - Nurit Yirmiya
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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3
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Dolev S, Sher-Censor E, Zach E, Shalem Gan-Or M. Teacher-child one-on-one playtime: Teachers' non-intrusiveness predicts developmental outcomes of children with developmental delay. Res Dev Disabil 2023; 136:104487. [PMID: 36958126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of dyadic teacher-child interactions to the development of children with special needs has received little research attention. This study examined whether teachers' non-intrusiveness during one-on-one playtime predicts developmental outcomes of children with developmental delay. Participants were 47 teachers and one of their kindergarteners diagnosed with developmental delay. At Time 1, teachers' non-intrusiveness during teacher-child play interactions was assessed. At Time 1 and 12 months later, kindergarten therapists reported on children's adaptive behavior, school performance, and internalizing and externalizing problems. Teachers' non-intrusiveness predicted children's increased adaptive behavior, improved school performance, and decreased externalizing problems across the year. Findings highlight the importance of supporting teachers' non-intrusiveness and including one-on-one teacher-child play as an integral part of special education kindergartens' curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smadar Dolev
- Early Childhood Department, Oranim College of Education, Tivon 36006, Israel.
| | - Efrat Sher-Censor
- The Center for the study of Child Development, Rabin Building, The University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Esther Zach
- The Center for the study of Child Development, Rabin Building, The University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Michal Shalem Gan-Or
- The Center for the study of Child Development, Rabin Building, The University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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Gur A, Gur-Yaish N, Sher-Censor E, Zisberg A. Nurses’ coping with patients’ relatives: Attachment style, burnout, and intentions to leave nursing. Eur J Public Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Conflictual interactions with patients’ relatives are prevalent in the work of hospital nurses. These situations may increase burnout and result in intentions to leave the nursing profession and high rates of turnover. It is important to understand the coping mechanisms and behaviours that nurses employ in such conflicts, to help them develop more adequate strategies that could prevent these outcomes. This study aimed at revealing how nurses’ attachment styles colour their behavioural coping mechanisms when dealing with such interactions with patients’ relatives, and how they are related to burnout and intentions to leave the profession.
Methods
An online survey was completed by 140 hospital nurses that included three scenarios of typical conflicts with patients’ relatives. Each scenario was followed by questions that assess stress and inadequacy when handling such situations, and behaviours: problem-solving responses, emotional support seeking, avoidance, and escalating responses. The survey also included self-reports of attachment styles, burnout, and intentions to leave nursing. Data were analysed using SEM (Amos 23).
Results
The model shows an acceptable fit (χ2(24) = 39.33, p = .025; CFI = .963; RMSEA = .068). Higher anxious attachment was associated with higher stress and feelings of inadequacy in handling the situation, which in turn were associated with more emotional support seeking, avoidance, and escalating responses. Escalating responses were indirectly associated with intentions to leave the nursing profession via higher burnout. Higher avoidant attachment was associated with fewer problem-solving responses.
Conclusions
Evaluating nurses’ attachment style, cognitions, and behaviours in conflicts with patients’ relatives is imperative for understanding burnout and intentions to leave nursing. Nursing training should include simulations of conflictual interactions with patients’ relatives to help modify maladaptive coping.
Key messages
• Evaluating nurses’ attachment style, cognitions, and behaviours in conflicts with patients’ relatives is imperative for understanding burnout and intentions to leave nursing.
• Training for nursing staff should consider nurses’ awareness of their attachment style to modify maladaptive cognitions and behaviours in conflicts with patients’ relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gur
- Department of Health Systems Management, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College , Yezreel Valley, Israel
| | - N Gur-Yaish
- Faculty of Graduate Studies, Oranim Academic College of Education , Tivon, Israel
| | - E Sher-Censor
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa , Haifa, Israel
| | - A Zisberg
- The Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, University of Haifa , Haifa, Israel
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Shahar-Lahav R, Sher-Censor E, Hebel O. Emotional availability in mothers and their children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 who require augmentative and alternative communication: a mixed-methods pilot study. Augment Altern Commun 2022; 38:161-172. [PMID: 36285736 DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2022.2124928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional availability in parent-child interactions fosters children's socioemotional development. Little is known about the emotional availability of parents and children with profound motor disabilities and complex communication needs or the contributions of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to emotional availability. To begin addressing these gaps, this pilot study focused on three mothers and their children with spinal muscular atrophy Type 1 who could not speak and required AAC. The study used a mixed-methods design. Mother-child interactions were rated using the Emotional Availability Scales. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with the mothers were qualitatively analyzed. Emotional availability in mother-child dyads was adequate. In the interviews, mothers addressed significant challenges but described mainly typical parent-child relationships and adaptive child and mother coping attributable to the use of AAC. Results suggest that emotional availability is possible and can be facilitated by AAC, even with children with profound motor disabilities and limited ability to communicate needs and desires. The findings highlight the importance of targeting children's socioemotional needs and parent-child emotional availability in AAC interventions with families of children with profound motor disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Efrat Sher-Censor
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Orly Hebel
- Department of Special Education, Levinsky College of Education, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Cohen L, Sher-Censor E, Oppenheim D, Dassa A, Ayalon L, Palgi Y. Nursing aides’ mentalization, expressed emotion, and observed interaction with residents with dementia: A quasi-experimental study. Geriatr Nurs 2022; 45:100-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Sher-Censor E, Shahar-Lahav R. Parents' resolution of their child's diagnosis: A scoping review. Attach Hum Dev 2022; 24:580-604. [PMID: 35156548 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2022.2034899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
This scoping review focused on parents' resolution of their reactions to receiving a diagnosis for their child, based on Marvin and Pianta's model and Reaction to Diagnosis Interview (RDI). We aimed to map the populations examined, the prevalence of parents' narrated resolution, and what is known about its outcomes and determinants. A structured search identified 47 peer-reviewed papers published between 1992-2021. All employed the RDI and most had a cross-sectional design. Studies focused on a wide range of children's health and mental health diagnoses. Days to years after receiving the diagnosis, RDI narratives of 18.43% to 72.49% of the parents (44% on average) indicated lack of resolution. Studies reported associations between unresolved narratives and children's insecure attachment, higher parenting stress, and poorer parental health. However, findings on the associations of narrated resolution with parents' representations of their child, sensitivity, and psychological symptoms were equivocal, and findings on factors that may shape narrated resolution were limited. To advance the understanding of parents' narrated resolution and its effects, we recommend researchers employ prospective and longitudinal designs, evaluate narrated resolution as a continuous phenomenon, focus on outcomes derived from attachment theory, and systematically sample families from heterogenous cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Sher-Censor
- The Interdisciplinarity MA and PhD programs in Child Development, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ravit Shahar-Lahav
- The Interdisciplinarity MA and PhD programs in Child Development, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Cohen L, Sher-Censor E, Oppenheim D, Dassa A, Ayalon L, Palgi Y. Emotional availability in dyads of nursing aide - resident with dementia: Old tool, new perspective. Dementia 2022; 21:882-898. [DOI: 10.1177/14713012211065396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives This study examined the emotional availability of nursing aide-resident with dementia dyads in a long-term care-facility. Emotional availability refers to the nursing aide’s sensitivity toward the resident, structuring their interactions in a non-intrusive and non-hostile manner and the resident’s responsiveness to and involvement of the nursing aide. The study evaluated the reciprocity in the emotional availability of nursing aides and the residents and examined whether emotional availability varies with the level of difficulty of taking care of the residents and with the context of the interaction. Method The study was conducted in three wards in one long-term care-facility. Twenty nursing aides and 40 residents took part in the study. Each nursing aide was videotaped during feeding, structured and unstructured interactions, with two residents, one that was nominated by the head nurse as difficult to take care of and one that was nominated as easy to take care of. The interactions were coded using the emotional availability scales. Results Linear mixed-effect model analyses indicated that higher emotional availability of nursing aides was related to higher emotional availability of the residents. Nursing aides’ emotional availability did not vary between “difficult” and “easy” residents or across the three interaction contexts. “Difficult” residents involved their nursing aides less than “easy” residents. Discussion The study documented the reciprocal nature of the interaction between nursing aides and residents with dementia. It suggests that nursing aides have an important role in promoting residents’ responsiveness and involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liora Cohen
- Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Efrat Sher-Censor
- School of Psychological Sciences and the Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - David Oppenheim
- School of Psychological Sciences and the Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ayelet Dassa
- Music Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Liat Ayalon
- Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Yuval Palgi
- Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, Israel
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9
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Lev-Enacab O, Sher-Censor E, Einspieler C, Jacobi OA, Daube-Fishman G, Beni-Shrem S. Spontaneous movements, motor milestones, and temperament of preterm-born infants: Associations with mother-infant attunement. Infancy 2022; 27:412-432. [PMID: 34989463 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Preterm-born infants and their mothers are at higher risk of showing less attuned interactions. We sought to identify characteristics of preterm-born infants associated with the attunement of mother-infant interactions at the corrected ages of 3-4 months, looking specifically at motor behaviors. We focused on infants' spontaneous movements, achievement of motor milestones, and temperament, which at this young age is often manifested via movement. Sixty preterm-born infants (Mdngestation age in weeks = 33, 57.38% male, corrected age Mdn = 14 weeks, interquartile range = 13-16) and their mothers participated. Independent observers rated mother-infant attunement, infants' spontaneous movements, and infants' achievement of motor milestones. Mothers reported infant temperament. We found infants' smooth and fluent movement character and continual fidgety movements were associated with better attunement in terms of higher maternal sensitivity and non-intrusiveness and higher infant responsiveness and involvement. Unexpectedly, infants' achievement of motor milestones was not significantly associated with mother-infant attunement, and maternal reports of infants' higher soothability were associated with lower maternal sensitivity. The study illustrates the value of including the assessment of infants' spontaneous movements, designed for early detection of neurological deficiencies, in research and in clinical practice with parents and preterm-born infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orna Lev-Enacab
- Maccabi Health Care Service, Haifa, Israel.,University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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10
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Sher-Censor E, Mizrachi-Zinman A. Mothers' Narratives on their Immigration Experiences: Associations with Maternal Relatedness and Adolescent Adjustment. J Res Adolesc 2021; 31:351-367. [PMID: 33377229 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We examined the hypothesis that lower maternal relatedness mediates the associations of immigrant mothers' acculturative stress and lack of benefit finding in immigration with poorer adjustment of their adolescents in terms of more externalizing problems and lower school achievements and self-worth. Participants were 93 adolescents (47.31% girls, Mage = 16.04) and their mothers (Mage = 45.83) from middle-class families. Mothers immigrated to Israel from the Former Soviet Union or Western countries (Myears-in-Israel = 19.75). We used a multimethod multi-informant approach that included a novel narrative procedure for assessing acculturative stress and benefit finding. Structural Equation Modeling supported the hypothesis, suggesting that research on and practice with adolescents in immigrant families should consider the meaning parents derive from their immigration experiences.
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Sher-Censor E, Yitshaki N, Assor A. How Should Mothers React When They First Learn About Their Child's Involvement With Deviant Peers? The Adolescents' Perspective. J Youth Adolesc 2021; 50:935-951. [PMID: 33449285 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-020-01383-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Little is known regarding how parents' responses when first learning about their adolescents' deviant peer affiliation affect adolescents' further affiliation and disclosure of risk behavior to parents. Studies on the effects of parents' warnings to control adolescents' material or personal information resources are particularly scarce. To address these gaps, 237 Jewish Israeli adolescents who self-identified as interacting with deviant peers (40.50% female, mean age = 14.55 years, age range = 13-16 years) reported their mothers' actual or anticipated responses when learning for the first time about their deviant peer affiliation. The results indicated that mothers' warnings to control adolescents' material and information resources were experienced as less frustrating and more satisfying of adolescents' psychological needs than was mothers' enactment of resource control. Mothers' responses of autonomy support and warnings to use resource control were positively associated with cessation of deviant peer affiliation. Mothers' enactment of resource control was associated with adolescents' less disclosure and consultation with their mothers regarding risk behaviors, whereas the reverse was true for the general practice of autonomy support. Possible need-related mechanisms underlying the associations of warnings with the cessation of deviant peer affiliation are discussed. The results highlight the importance of parents' autonomy-supportive response to the onset of deviant peer affiliation as a specific strategy that has benefits beyond the positive effects of the general practice of autonomy support. These findings suggest that it is important to promote an autonomy-supportive response to the onset of deviant peer affiliation also among parents who are generally autonomy-supportive.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Avi Assor
- Ben-Gurion University, Be'er Sheva, Israel
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12
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Zohar O, Sher-Censor E, Elata J. A mental health course for developmental allied healthcare professionals: An exploration of potential effectiveness. Infant Ment Health J 2020; 42:233-245. [PMID: 33258501 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effectiveness of a mental health course for developmental allied healthcare professionals (DAHPs) that focused on emotional and relational processes inherent to treatment. We hypothesized that (a) following the course, DAHPs would report increased awareness and sense of competence in dealing with these processes; (b) an increased sense of competence would be associated with decreased burnout; (c) following the course, DAHPs would increase their reading and participation in seminars about emotional processes in therapy; and (d) DAHPs would report the course had positive effects on their work and that they use a more relationship-based treatment approach. Participants were 153 Israeli DAHPs. They reported their attitudes and sense of competence in coping with emotional and relational processes in treatment in three time points: before, upon completion, and at follow-up. At follow-up, participants also reported level of burnout and the extent they made changes in their work. They provided examples of these changes, which were qualitatively analyzed. Study hypotheses were supported. Results suggest participating in a relatively brief mental health course is associated with positive changes in DAHPs' attitudes, sense of competence, and professional approach toward a relationship-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orna Zohar
- The Interdisciplinary MA and PhD programs in Child Development and the Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Efrat Sher-Censor
- The Interdisciplinary MA and PhD programs in Child Development and the Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Judith Elata
- The Interdisciplinary MA and PhD programs in Child Development and the Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Sher-Censor E. Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 31609307 DOI: 10.3791/60025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Valid and efficient measures for assessing the quality of parent-child relationships are needed to facilitate research and evidence-based practice with parents. This paper focuses on such a method, namely Five-Minute Speech Sample-Coherence (FMSS-Coherence). In this method, a parent is asked to speak for five uninterrupted minutes about her/his child and their relationship. The resulted narrative is coded for coherence, namely the extent to which the parent provides in the narrative a clear, consistent, multidimensional and well-supported portrayal of the child. FMSS-Coherence is based on attachment research that shows that the coherence of parents' narratives is indicative of the quality of the parent-child relationship and child adjustment. It overcomes the limitations of attachment narrative measures which are typically labor intensive. FMSS-Coherence is less nuanced than extant attachment narrative measures. Yet, studies of families from different cultural backgrounds, across different child ages and in the context of typically developing children as well as children with special needs suggest that coherence can be reliably evaluated using the FMSS procedure. Furthermore, parents' FMSS-Coherence is associated with parenting quality and children's socio-emotional adjustment. Thus, it holds promise for researchers and practitioners who seek a relatively time- and cost-effective method for assessing the coherence of parents' narratives regarding their child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Sher-Censor
- The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Child Development and the Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa;
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Sher-Censor E, Dan Ram-On T, Rudstein-Sabbag L, Watemberg M, Oppenheim D. The reaction to diagnosis questionnaire: a preliminary validation of a new self-report measure to assess parents' resolution of their child's diagnosis. Attach Hum Dev 2019; 22:409-424. [PMID: 31184278 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2019.1628081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Parents' resolution of their child's diagnosis is associated with parental sensitivity and secure child attachment. The Reaction to Diagnosis Interview (RDI) is the accepted measure for assessing resolution, but its administration and coding are time and labor intensive. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Reaction to Diagnosis Questionnaire (RDQ), a new self-report measure that assesses resolution. 75 mothers of children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Delay completed the RDI and the RDQ and reported on family characteristics. The RDQ showed good internal consistency. Mothers who were classified as resolved using the RDI had higher RDQ scores compared with mothers who were classified as unresolved. The networks of associations of the RDI and the RDQ with family characteristics were similar, although formal equivalence testing could not be performed. The RDQ may be a promising time- and cost-effective tool. Nevertheless, more research is needed to further establish its validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Sher-Censor
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa , Haifa, Israel
| | - Tali Dan Ram-On
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa , Haifa, Israel
| | - Liron Rudstein-Sabbag
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa , Haifa, Israel
| | - Merav Watemberg
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa , Haifa, Israel
| | - David Oppenheim
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa , Haifa, Israel
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15
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Sher-Censor E, Koren-Karie N, Getzov S, Rotman P. Mother-Adolescent Dialogues and Adolescents' Behavior Problems in a Multicultural Sample: The Mediating Role of Representations. J Res Adolesc 2018; 28:211-228. [PMID: 28656678 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study examined whether the link between higher maternal sensitive guidance of emotional dialogues and fewer adolescent behavior problems is mediated by adolescents' more coherent representations of their mothers. The study also explored the consistency of this model across families from varied cultural backgrounds. Participants were 143 Jewish-Israeli mother-adolescent dyads from three cultural groups: immigrants from the Former Soviet Union, immigrants from Western countries, and native-born Israelis. Maternal sensitive guidance was observed during mother-adolescent dialogues about emotional experiences. Adolescents' representations were assessed via their narratives regarding their mother and their relationship. Examiners reported adolescents' behavior problems. Results indicated that across cultural groups adolescents' more coherent representations partially mediated the association between higher maternal sensitive guidance and fewer adolescent behavior problems.
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16
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Sher-Censor E, Shulman C, Cohen E. Associations among mothers' representations of their relationship with their toddlers, maternal parenting stress, and toddlers' internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Infant Behav Dev 2017; 50:132-139. [PMID: 29277061 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the array of associations among the emotional valence and the coherence of mothers' representations of their relationship with their toddlers, mothers' reported parenting stress, and toddlers' internalizing and externalizing behaviors. To evaluate maternal representations, 55 mothers were interviewed using the Five Minute Speech Sample procedure (FMSS; Magaña et al., 1986), which was coded for criticism and positive comments (Magaňa-Amato, 1993), as well as coherence (Sher-Censor & Yates, 2015). Mothers also completed the Parenting Stress Index - Short Form (PSI; Abidin, 1997) to evaluate their parenting stress and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1.5-5; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000) to assess their toddlers' internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Results indicated that parenting stress was associated with maternal criticism and fewer positive comments in the FMSS, but not with the coherence of mothers' FMSS. Parenting stress, criticism, and lower coherence in the FMSS were associated with maternal reports of externalizing behaviors. Only parenting stress and lower coherence in the FMSS were related to mothers' reports of internalizing behaviors of the child. Thus, the emotional valence and the coherence of mothers' representations of their relationship with their child and parenting stress may each constitute a distinct aspect of parenting and contribute to the understanding of individual differences in toddlers' internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Implications for research and practice with families of toddlers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cory Shulman
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Esther Cohen
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
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Sher-Censor E, Dolev S, Said M, Baransi N, Amara K. Coherence of Representations Regarding the Child, Resolution of the Child's Diagnosis and Emotional Availability: A Study of Arab-Israeli Mothers of Children with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:3139-3149. [PMID: 28695436 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3228-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the interplay of mothers' coherent representations of their child (i.e., multidimensional and balanced view); resolution of the child's ASD diagnosis (i.e., acceptance); and emotional availability to the child in the unique cultural context of Arab-Israeli families. Participants were 46 mothers and their 2-8 year old sons. Coherent representations and resolution of the diagnosis were assessed using narrative measures. Emotional availability (namely, sensitivity, structuring, and lack of intrusiveness and hostility) was observed during mother-child play interactions. Results suggested that coherent and resolved mothers were more emotionally available than incoherent and/or unresolved mothers. These findings highlight the importance of supporting mothers' ability to accept the child's diagnosis and see the unique characteristics of the child beyond his ASD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Sher-Censor
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa, Rabin Building, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel.
| | | | - Marwa Said
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa, Rabin Building, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nagham Baransi
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa, Rabin Building, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kholud Amara
- The Center for the Study of Child Development, The University of Haifa, Rabin Building, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
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Aviezer O, Sher-Censor E, Stein-Lahad T. Earliest memories in Israeli kibbutz upbringing: it is parental engagement that makes a difference. Memory 2017; 25:1375-1389. [PMID: 28357891 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2017.1307991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Culture and parenting shape the ability to recall early childhood experiences. This research focused on the unique context of upbringing in the Israeli kibbutz and examined how cultural orientation and experiences of parental engagement in Kibbutz and non-Kibbutz settings shaped adults' earliest memories. Participants were 108 women (study 1) and 75 women and men (study 2) who were raised in traditional kibbutz upbringing or in a non-kibbutz family setting. In addition to reporting their earliest memory and age at earliest memory, participants estimated retrospectively the amount of daily time spent in interaction with parents, caregivers, and other children during the time of earliest memory. Overall, upbringing-related variations in cultural orientation were evident in the content of memories. A prediction of later age at earliest memory due to limited opportunities for parent-child interaction characteristic of traditional kibbutz upbringing was not supported. Rather, in both studies, age at earliest memory was linked to retrospective estimation of parental engagement, after controlling for childhood ecology. Study 2 revealed also a link of age at earliest memory to retrospective estimation of involvement with non-parental caregivers. These findings are congruent with the social-interaction model's claims about the importance of interaction with caregiving adults to autobiographical memory's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ora Aviezer
- a Department of Educational Consulting , Oranim Academic College of Education , Tivon , Israel.,b Center for the Study of Child Development , University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
| | - Efrat Sher-Censor
- b Center for the Study of Child Development , University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
| | - Tahel Stein-Lahad
- b Center for the Study of Child Development , University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
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Sher-Censor E, Khafi TY, Yates TM. Preschoolers' self-regulation moderates relations between mothers' representations and children's adjustment to school. Dev Psychol 2016; 52:1793-1804. [PMID: 27598254 PMCID: PMC5083222 DOI: 10.1037/dev0000178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Consistent with models of environmental sensitivity (Pluess, 2015), research suggests that the effects of parents' behaviors on child adjustment are stronger among children who struggle to regulate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors compared with children with better self-regulation. This study extended prior research by assessing maternal representations of the child, which presumably underlie mothers' parenting behaviors, to evaluate the moderating influence of preschoolers' self-regulation on relations between mothers' representations and changes in children's negative and positive developmental adjustment outcomes from preschool to first grade. Participants were 187 mothers and their preschoolers. Mothers' representations were assessed via the coherence of their verbal narratives regarding their preschooler and teachers reported on preschoolers' self-regulation. In preschool and first grade, examiners rated children's externalizing behavior problems and ego-resilience, and teachers rated children's externalizing behavior problems and peer acceptance. Consistent with the environmental sensitivity framework, the coherence of mothers' narratives predicted changes in adjustment among children with self-regulation difficulties, but not among children with better self-regulation. Preschoolers with self-regulation difficulties whose mothers produced incoherent narratives showed increased externalizing behavior problems, decreased ego-resilience, and lower peer acceptance across the transition to school. In contrast, preschoolers with better self-regulation did not evidence such effects when their mothers produced incoherent narratives. The implications of these findings for understanding and supporting children's adjustment during the early school years are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamar Y Khafi
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside
| | - Tuppett M Yates
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside
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Khafi TY, Yates TM, Sher-Censor E. The Meaning of Emotional Overinvolvement in Early Development: Prospective Relations With Child Behavior Problems. J Fam Psychol 2015; 29:585-594. [PMID: 26147935 PMCID: PMC4670280 DOI: 10.1037/fam0000111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Emotional overinvolvement (EOI) in parents’ Five Minute Speech Samples (FMSSs; Magaña-Amato, 1993) is thought to measure overconcern and enmeshment with one’s child. Although related to maladaptive outcomes in studies of adult children, FMSS EOI evidences varied relations with behavior problems in studies with young children. These mixed findings may indicate that certain FMSS EOI criteria reflect inappropriate and excessive involvement with adult children, but do not indicate maladaptive processes when parenting younger children. Thus, this study evaluated relations of each FMSS EOI criterion with changes in child behavior problems from preschool to first grade in a community sample of 223 child–mother dyads (47.98% female; Wave 1 M(age) 49.08 months; 56.50% Hispanic/Latina). Maternal FMSS EOI ratings were obtained at Wave 1, and independent examiners rated child externalizing and internalizing behavior problems at Wave 1 and again 2 years later. Path analyses indicated that both the self-sacrifice/overprotection (SSOP) and statements of attitude (SOAs) FMSS EOI criteria predicted increased externalizing problems. In contrast, excessive detail and exaggerated praise were not related to child externalizing behavior problems, and Emotional Display was not evident in this sample. None of the FMSS EOI criteria evidenced significant relations with internalizing behavior problems. Multigroup comparisons indicated that the effect of SOAs on externalizing behavior problems was significant for boys but not for girls, and there were no significant group differences by race/ethnicity. These findings point to the salience of SSOP and SOAs for understanding the developmental significance of EOI in early development.
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Lev-Enacab O, Sher-Censor E, Einspieler C, Daube-Fishman G, Beni-Shrem S. The Quality of Spontaneous Movements of Preterm Infants: Associations with the Quality of Mother-Infant Interaction. Infancy 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/infa.12096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Sher-Censor E, Oppenheim D, Sagi-Schwartz A. Individuation of female adolescents: relations with adolescents' perceptions of maternal behavior and with adolescent-mother discrepancies in perceptions. J Adolesc 2011; 35:397-405. [PMID: 21849208 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2010] [Revised: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The study examined how individuality and connectedness of female adolescents relate to their perceptions of maternal behavior and to adolescent-mother discrepancies in perceptions of maternal behavior. Seventy 16.5-year-old daughters and their mothers participated in the study. Individuality and connectedness of the daughters were assessed from observed daughter-mother interactions. The perceptions of daughters and mothers regarding maternal behavior were assessed using a video recall procedure. Daughters' negative perceptions of maternal behavior were associated with higher individuality. Daughter-mother discrepancies in perceptions of maternal behavior were related to lower connectedness of the daughters. Finally, daughters who showed high individuality at the expense of connectedness had more discrepancies in perceptions with their mothers compared to daughters that balanced between moderate-to-high individuality and connectedness. These findings underscore the importance of assessing daughters and mothers' perceptions of their interactions at the individual as well as the dyadic levels for understanding daughters' behavior during communication with their mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Sher-Censor
- Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, 6035 Rabin Building, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel.
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Sher-Censor E, Parke RD, Coltrane S. Parents' promotion of psychological autonomy, psychological control, and Mexican-American adolescents' adjustment. J Youth Adolesc 2011; 40:620-32. [PMID: 20506036 PMCID: PMC3072492 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-010-9552-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2010] [Accepted: 05/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mexican-American adolescents are at an elevated risk for adjustment difficulties. In an effort to identify parenting practices that can affect the adjustment of Mexican-American youth, the current study examined parents' promotion of psychological autonomy and parents' psychological control as perceived by Mexican-American early adolescents, and explored their associations with adolescents' adjustment in the context of acculturation. In 5th grade, 134 (54.5% female) Mexican-American adolescents reported on their acculturation level and the parenting practices of their mothers and fathers. In 5th and 7th grade, adolescents also reported on their depressive symptoms, number of delinquent friends, and self-worth. Perceptions of promotion of psychological autonomy and of psychological control were positively correlated. However, perceptions of more promotion of psychological autonomy and of less psychological control predicted fewer depressive symptoms 2 years later. Perceptions of more promotion of psychological autonomy also predicted fewer delinquent friends two years later. Finally, perceptions of more promotion of psychological autonomy predicted higher self-worth only among less acculturated adolescents. The study underscores the roles that promotion of psychological autonomy and psychological control may play in Mexican-American children's well-being during early adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Sher-Censor
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA USA
| | - Ross D. Parke
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA USA
| | - Scott Coltrane
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR USA
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Sher-Censor E, Oppenheim D. Adjustment of female adolescents leaving home for the military: Links with earlier individuation. J Adolesc 2010; 33:625-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2009] [Revised: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 12/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Sher-Censor E, Oppenheim D. Les narratifs d'enfants et leur lien avec les comportements d'attachement précoce. Enfance 2008. [DOI: 10.3917/enf.601.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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