The quality of the mother–child relationship in high-risk dyads: Application of the Emotional Availability Scales in an intergenerational, longitudinal study

Abstract

The present research examined how family psychosocial risk may be associated with emotional availability (EA) across age and time in two longitudinal, intergenerational studies with high-risk, disadvantaged mother-child dyads. Study 1 examined dyads during preschool and middle childhood. Study 2 examined a different sample of dyads, tested intensively at five time points (6, 12, and 18 months; preschool; and school age). Across studies, maternal childhood histories of aggression and social withdrawal predicted negative EA (higher levels of maternal hostility) during mother-child interactions at preschool age. In Study 1, mothers with higher levels of social withdrawal during childhood had preschoolers who were less appropriately responsive to and involving of their mothers during interactions. In Study 2, higher levels of observed appropriate maternal structuring predicted child responsiveness while observed maternal sensitivity (and structuring) predicted observed child involvement. More maternal social support and better home environment combined with lower stress predicted better mother-child relationship quality. Findings contribute to the burgeoning literature on EA by focusing on a high-risk community sample across time and generations. Results are interpreted in light of the developmental psychopathology framework, and have implications for a broader understanding of how EA is related to parental history and personal characteristics, as well as ongoing family and environmental context.

Maternal Emotional Availability and Its Association with Maternal Psychopathology, Attachment Style Insecurity and Theory of Mind

“…Thirdly, due to the cross-sectional design of the study, conclusions about causality, and in particular about the direction of the mediational effect, have to be drawn carefully. Furthermore, other possible covariates that have shown relations to maternal EA, such as child temperament [53], social support [54], and maternal history of trauma [55], were not assessed in the present study. Another factor that might be interesting to investigate is the role of maternal intelligence, as it could be related to maternal ToM and might have a moderating role with regard to the prediction of maternal EA.…”

Induced Abortions and Birth Outcomes of Women With a History of Severe Psychosocial Problems in Adolescence

“…A Finnish study has shown an association between smoking during pregnancy and different psychiatric disorders in offspring [8]. In addition, some of the women probably have a history of maltreatment themselves and many have had conduct problems, which are likely to increase the risk of difficulties in a mother-child relationship and the child's behavioural problems [39,42,49]. In this study, more than a third of the parturients with a residential school history were single and many probably lack support from their own parents as well, which emphasizes the need of external social support.…”

Effect of Prematurity, Birthweight, Maternal Stress, Socio-economic Status, and Mother-Child Intimacy on the Development of Preschool Children in Surakarta

“…Sebaliknya ibu dengan perilaku yang positif seperti menciptakan suasana yang menyenangkan, sikap yang hangat dan terbuka akan berpengaruh positif terhadap perkembangan anak. Kedekatan ibu anak ini pada akhirnya akan mempengaruhi pencapaian akademik anak diusia sekolah (Stack et al, 2012).…”