Maternal sensitivity behavior and infant behavior in early interaction

Abstract

Maternal sensitivity behavior and infant behavior in early interaction were investigated among 57 Finnish mother-child pairs. Their interaction was video-recorded at home in free-play situation when the infants were 3 months and 12 months of age, and evaluated using the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment Scale (PCERA). Maternal sensitivity behavior was mainly related to infant's positive aspects of mood, social and play behavior, and visual contact, both at 3 months and 12 months of age. Even though maternal sensitivity behavior correlated to infant behavior at 3 months and 12 months, infant behavior at 3 months of age contributed to later maternal sensitivity behavior.