The regulation of maternal intensity of stimulation and infant engagement

Abstract

This study explored the interpersonal influence processes which govern the systems of infant engagement and maternal intensity of handling stimulation. The videotaped face-to-face play interactions of 14 mothers and their 3-4 month old female infants were coded by microanalysis. A scale was designed to differentiate qualitative variations in maternal intensity of handling stimulation. Infant engagement was coded by changes in orientation, gaze, and facial expression. The data was analyzed across a two second sampling unit. Time-series regression analysis (TSR) was used to determine the extent to which each partner was influenced by her own behavior (self-influence) and by her partner's behavior.;Maternal intensity of handling stimulation coordinates with infant engagement in over half of the dyads. A strong pattern of coordination was found in the current sampling unit of both partners (at lag-0). However, there was only a marginally significant pattern of one-way influence (both mother influencing infant and infant influencing mother) among the dyads (at lag t-1). Robust self-influence (autocorrelation) was found in every infant and in every mother.