Physiological Reactivity to Infant Crying and Observed Maternal Sensitivity

Abstract

Relations between maternal sensitivity and physiological reactivity to infant crying were examined using measures of heart rate (HR) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in 49 mothers of second‐born infants. Using the Ainsworth Sensitivity Scale, an independent assessment of maternal sensitivity was made during maternal free play and bathing of their infants. Physiological reactivity was measured while mothers listened to three blocks of infant cry sounds in a standard cry paradigm. Mothers scoring high on sensitivity were compared to less sensitive mothers on both their physiological reactivity to the presented crying sounds and their physiological mean‐level differences. Significant interaction effects were found for both HR and RSA. Highly sensitive mothers showed a larger increase in HR and stronger RSA withdrawal in response to the first block of cry sounds compared to less sensitive mothers. Main effects showed that highly sensitive mothers had lower mean overall HR, and higher mean RSA levels across all three blocks of crying sounds compared to less sensitive mothers. RSA withdrawal and accompanying HR increases are discussed from a polyvagal perspective as indicative of a better capability in responding to infant signals of negative affect.

Salivary α-Amylase Reactivity to Infant Crying in Maltreating Mothers

“…This demonstrates that results are difficult to compare when different operationalizations of parenting are used. Our results support the basic notion that ANS arousal is a requirement for sensitive parenting, for which promptness of response is a main condition [27]. Congruently, in a sample of mothers where normative, hyper-, and hypoarousal patterns of the ANS were distinguished during the Strange Situation, mothers showing autonomic hypoarousal scored highest on observed insensitive parenting behavior [28].…”

“…Excluded and included mothers were similar on childhood maltreatment experiences (total CTQ scale), educational level, maternal age, children's mean age, and whether children had a clinical diagnosis (ps [ 27). Table 1 displays characteristics of maltreating mothers and non-maltreating mothers.…”

“…Congruent with the hyperreactivity hypothesis, increased SCL responsiveness to infant cry sounds predicted the use of harsh discipline during motherchild challenge tasks 9 months later [26]. However, HR hyporeactivity has also been related to less sensitive caregiving, while increased HR reactivity was observed in more sensitive mothers [27]. This might be indicative of autonomic hypoarousal in relation to less adequate caregiving.…”

The neural basis of responsive caregiving behaviour: Investigating temporal dynamics within the parental brain

“…In addition, this early detection in brainstem regions might support initiation of a state of heightened physiological arousal upon detection of infant cues. Peripheral psychophysiological studies have demonstrated that hearing infant cries can impact the listener's heart rate, respiration and hand grip strength [although the direction of these effects varies across studies; [72,[73][74][75][76][77]]. It is hypothesised that heightened physiological arousal aids the initiation of rapid, effortful caregiving behaviour.…”

The Role of Difficult Childhood Behaviors on Intimate Partner Violence

“…Anyone who has experienced the presence of a child suffering with an illness such as colic can wholeheartedly agree that the behaviors of the infant negatively impact all participants near the child. Research indicates the vocalization of the distress of an infant significantly impact all adults within hearing, both physiologically and psychologically [6][7][8]. Therefore, it is plausible that the presence of a child experiencing an exceptionality may have a mediating effect on IPV.…”