Longitudinal associations between parental reflective functioning and maternal mind-mindedness.

Abstract

Little work has examined longitudinal associations between parental reflective functioning (PRF) and mind-mindedness (MM), limiting the understanding of separate or bidirectional trajectories of these related but distinct forms of mentalization. We examined cross-lagged associations between PRF, assessed via interview, and MM, coded from play interactions, over 12 months among 90 parents (86% female; 57% White, 43% Black) of infants (Mage = 10.56 months, SD = 8.20) who were participating in The Michigan Model of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting. Data were collected at study enrollment Time 1 (T1) and at 6-month Time 2 (T2) and 12-month Time 3 (T3) postenrollment. Mind-minded comments were coded as appropriate, reflecting accurate interpretation of mental states or nonattuned, characterizing inaccurate interpretations. PRF and appropriate MM each remained stable over time. PRF at the T1 positively predicted appropriate MM at T2. No other cross-lagged associations between PRF and appropriate MM were significant. Concurrent correlations between appropriate MM and PRF were significant only at T3. Nonattuned MM showed stability from T1 to T2 but nonattuned MM at the T2 did not predict nonattuned MM at T3. Greater PRF at T1 predicted less nonattuned MM at T2. No other cross-lagged associations between PRF and nonattuned MM were significant.

Parental Reflective Functioning on the Parent Development Interview: A narrative review of measurement, association, and future directions

“…The sociodemographic factors examined across studies typically include income level, education level, maternal age, and single parenthood. Multiple studies have documented significant associations between level of parental education and PRF (Alismail et al, 2022;Arkle et al, 2023;Benbassat & Priel, 2012;Brophy-Herb et al, 2023;Halfon & Besiroglu, 2020;Huber et al, 2015;Lowell et al, 2022;Newman-Morris et al, 2020;Sleed et al, 2018;Stover & Kiselica, 2014). Similarly, a significant association between maternal income level and PRF has been reported in at least four studies (Arkle et al, 2023;Brophy-Herb et al, 2023;Sleed et al, 2018;Yatziv et al, 2020).…”

“…Multiple studies have documented significant associations between level of parental education and PRF (Alismail et al, 2022;Arkle et al, 2023;Benbassat & Priel, 2012;Brophy-Herb et al, 2023;Halfon & Besiroglu, 2020;Huber et al, 2015;Lowell et al, 2022;Newman-Morris et al, 2020;Sleed et al, 2018;Stover & Kiselica, 2014). Similarly, a significant association between maternal income level and PRF has been reported in at least four studies (Arkle et al, 2023;Brophy-Herb et al, 2023;Sleed et al, 2018;Yatziv et al, 2020). In their study of fathers, Buttitta et al (2019) found that economic disadvantage impinged on parental behavior only if the father also had low levels of CF-RF.…”