0000000000379582

AUTHOR

Ana D'ocon

Sequential analyses in coercive mother-child interaction: the predictability hypothesis in abusive versus nonabusive dyads.

Abstract Objective: A two-fold purpose guided the present study: 1) To test the sequential relationship between the child’s aversive behavior and both the predictability and the compliance episodes, as well as the sequential relationship between these two mothering episodes proposed by the new predictability hypothesis (Wahler, Williams, & Cerezo, 1990) ; 2) to explore whether or not these patterns are specific to these dysfunctional dyads by using a nonabusive comparison group. Method: Fifty mother-child dyads, 25 abusive and 25 nonabusive, participated in this study. Lag sequential analyses were carried out on 302 hours of direct observation, 178 hours in the abusive group, and 124 in the…

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Maternal inconsistent socialization: An interactional pattern with maltreated children

Most child abuse episodes take place in the context of child-rearing conflicts. Parents show a lack of competence in appropriately solving these conflicts, producing an escalating phenomenon which eventually ends in verbal and/or physical aggression towards the child. The main purpose of this study is to test the role of inconsistent socialization in the development of prolonged dyadic coercive exchanges. Observational information from 15 mother-child dyads referred for psychological treatment for abuse and 15 non-clinical dyads was obtained at home. Results show the mother's indiscriminate attention following prosocial child behaviour was significantly higher in abusive dyads, while disrup…

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Impact of maternal age on infants' emotional regulation and psychomotor development

AbstractBackgroundMaternal age has progressively increased in industrialized countries. Most studies focus on the consequences of delayed motherhood for women's physical and mental health, but little is known about potential effects on infants' neurodevelopment. This prospective study examines the association between maternal age and offspring neurodevelopment in terms of both psychomotor development (Ages & Stages Questionnaires-3) and emotional competences (Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire).MethodsWe evaluated a cohort of healthy pregnant women aged 20–41 years and their offspring, assessed at 38 weeks gestation (n= 131) and 24 months after birth (n= 101). Potential age-related …

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