Social proximity in early mother–infant interactions: implications for gender differences?

Abstract

In an exploratory study, we investigated degrees of social proximity between mothers and their 9-month-old children. Twenty-four Swedish mother±infant dyads (12 boys and 12 girls) were observed during a brief free play episode. Social proximity was measured through nine items focusing on both communication and social interaction. Overall, we found that mother±daughter dyads displayed significantly higher degrees of social proximity than mother±son dyads. More specifically, mothers with daughters displayed more physical and visual contact, and were also rated as more sensitive than mothers with sons. It was also found that girls were judged as being more compliant than boys.

Quality of caregiver-child play interactions with toddlers born preterm and full term: Antecedents and language outcome

“…We individually matched FT to PT participants to ensure that group comparisons were not the result of differences that might affect caregiver-child interactions: age corrected for the degree of prematurity, sex [14], and socioeconomic status [22]. SES was assessed using the Hollingshead Four-Factor Index [27].…”

“…Two important factors are child sex and family socioeconomic status (SES). Caregivers exhibit more sensitivity with girls versus boys [14]. Lower SES is associated with more controlling maternal behavior [15].…”

Skin exposure during conventional phototherapy in preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial

“…Early mother−infant interaction has a crucial impact on infant development. Infants with well‐regulated behaviour engender positive early parental interactions with beneficial effects on bonding and infant development 18,19 . The incidence in our study for less cases of difficult child and parental distress for the partially clothed posturally supported group may be a positive response to the supportive environment provided for the partially clothed group.…”

Infant Child Care and Compliance in the Second Year: A Short‐Term Longitudinal Analysis of Contextual Factors

“…Furthermore, Stifter, Spinrad, and Braungart-Rieker (1999) found that infants who were unable to regulate their responses to frustration at 5 months were more likely to be defiant during a clean-up task with mother at 30 months. Gender has also been linked to compliance; in some studies, boys have been found to be less compliant to mothers than girls (Kochanska & Aksan, 1995;Kuczynski & Kochanska, 1990;Lindahl & Heimann, 1997), although other studies have found no relation between gender and toddlers' compliance (Braungart-Rieker et al, 1997;Kaler & Kopp;1990;Stifter et al, 1999). Still others (e.g., Calkins et al, 1998) have found interactions between gender and maternal control strategies, such that for boys, maternal positive behavior was related to compliance, whereas for girls, negative maternal behavior led to compliance.…”

“…The role of the caregiver in transmitting standards of behavior is an intrafamilial characteristic that has received particular attention. Studies have found a relation between positive maternal guidance and children's compliant behaviors and control of impulsive behaviors, whereas negative maternal control has been linked to noncompliance and a lack of behavioral control (Bressanutti, Sachs, & Mahoney, 1992;Crockenberg & Litman, 1990;Kochanska & Aksan, 1995;Kochanska, Clark, & Goldman, 1997;Lindahl & Heimann, 1997;Weiss, Dodge, Bates, & Pettit, 1992). Calkins et al (1998) found that mothers who engaged in high amounts of positive guidance during structured and unstructured play had 24-month-old toddlers who were more compliant.…”