UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Burrous, C. Emma
Dept./Program:
Psychology
Year:
2004
Degree:
Ph. D.
Abstract:
In the present study, maternal sensitivity in response to toddler distress was examined in relation to mothers' childhood care and control experiences with parents, maternal depression, and maternal anger. Stability and change in maternal sensitivity from infancy to toddlerhood was investigated. Fifty-two mothers and infants participated. Mothers completed questionnaires about childhood history prenatally. At 6 months, mothers reported depressive symptoms, and maternal sensitivity was observed in a laboratory context. At 2-1/2 years, mothers reported depressive symptoms and anger on questionnaires, and reported maternal behavior in a daily diary for one week, yielding a rating of maternal sensitivity.
Results were as follows: 1) mothers' acceptance during childhood correlated negatively with both maternal depression and maternal anger, and positively with maternal sensitivity to fear at 2-1/2 years; 2) maternal anger mediated the association between childhood care and maternal sensitivity to fear at 2-1/2 years; 3) the interaction of maternal and paternal control during childhood predicted maternal sensitivity to anger at 2-1/2 years, controlling for maternal education. When maternal control was low, paternal control was positively associated with maternal sensitivity to anger, whereas when maternal control was high, paternal control was negatively associated with maternal sensitivity to anger. And, 4) maternal sensitivity at 6 months was not correlated with maternal sensitivity at 2-1/2 years. Results are discussed in relation to prior studies with particular emphasis on attachment theory. Implications for preventive intervention efforts are considered.
Results were as follows: 1) mothers' acceptance during childhood correlated negatively with both maternal depression and maternal anger, and positively with maternal sensitivity to fear at 2-1/2 years; 2) maternal anger mediated the association between childhood care and maternal sensitivity to fear at 2-1/2 years; 3) the interaction of maternal and paternal control during childhood predicted maternal sensitivity to anger at 2-1/2 years, controlling for maternal education. When maternal control was low, paternal control was positively associated with maternal sensitivity to anger, whereas when maternal control was high, paternal control was negatively associated with maternal sensitivity to anger. And, 4) maternal sensitivity at 6 months was not correlated with maternal sensitivity at 2-1/2 years. Results are discussed in relation to prior studies with particular emphasis on attachment theory. Implications for preventive intervention efforts are considered.