Early temperament and emotion regulation in infants at familial risk for adhd: the role of maternal parenting
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2010
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Abstract
This study examined infant temperament and emotion regulation in infants aged 8-12 months (N = 78) with varying levels of familial risk (FR) for ADHD, which was based on maternal ADHD symptoms. As hypothesized, FR for ADHD was related to maternal reports of higher infant distress to limitations, activity, and overall negative temperament, and lower duration of orienting. Using observer ratings of infant behaviour, FR for ADHD was also related to lower levels of infant sustained attention. When observed during a modified still-face procedure, FR for ADHD was related to higher ratings of infant negative reactivity, as evidenced by more infant distressing/crying vocalizations during the modified still-face procedure. This relationship was completely mediated by maternal reports of infant duration of orienting. FR for ADHD was related to infants' use of fewer focused orientation strategies and more avoidant behaviours during the reengagement episode of the still-face procedure. The study also examined the relationship between maternal ADHD symptoms and parenting and the role of maternal parenting in the development of infant emotion regulation. As hypothesized, maternal ADHD symptoms were related to lower observer ratings of maternal sensitivity and higher observer ratings of maternal intrusiveness. Maternal self-efficacy was not related to maternal ADHD symptoms or parenting. Contrary to expectations, infant temperament did not mediate the relationship between maternal ADHD symptoms and maternal parenting. Furthermore, maternal parenting did not mediate the relationship between FR for ADHD and infant emotion regulation as hypothesized. Post-hoc analyses indicated that maternal insensitivity and intrusiveness partially mediated the relationship between FR for ADHD and infant sustained attention. These results suggest that infants at FR for ADHD may be demonstrating early identifiable risk factors for ADHD. Furthermore, parenting may be impaired in mothers with ADHD symptoms and this impaired parenting may have a direct and indirect influence on the development of ADHD symptoms and associated difficulties in their children. Thus, mothers with elevated ADHD symptoms and their infants may benefit from early intervention programs aimed at addressing parenting deficits and promoting parenting behaviours that are known to facilitate the development of infant attention and emotion regulation abilities.
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Bibliography: p. 144-175
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Ninowski, J. E. (2010). Early temperament and emotion regulation in infants at familial risk for adhd: the role of maternal parenting (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/3354