Mind-Mindedness in New Mothers and Fathers: Stability and Discontinuity from Pregnancy to Toddlerhood
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| Title: | Mind-Mindedness in New Mothers and Fathers: Stability and Discontinuity from Pregnancy to Toddlerhood |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Foley, Sarah, Devine, Rory T., Hughes, Claire |
| Source: | Developmental Psychology. Jan 2023 59(1):128-140. |
| Availability: | American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2023 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Metacognition, Mothers, Fathers, Infants, Toddlers, Pregnancy, Individual Characteristics, Gender Differences, Correlation, Socioeconomic Status, Foreign Countries, Personality Traits, Mental Health, Child Rearing, Parent Responsibility |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom (England) |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0001468 |
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| Abstract: | This study examined the development of caregiver mind-mindedness--defined as the propensity to see one's child as an agent with an independent mind--across the first 1,000 days of life. At four timepoints (i.e., third trimester of pregnancy, 4, 14, and 24 months postpartum), 384 first-time mothers (M[subscript age] = 32.55, SD = 3.63 years) and fathers (M[subscript age] = 33.96, SD = 4.40 years) gave 5-minute speech samples about their infant that were coded for mind-mindedness (Meins & Fernyhough, 2015). Reflecting the local population, the 192 heterosexual couples were highly educated (84.6% of mothers, 77.1% of fathers had a degree) and ethnically homogenous (92.7% of mothers, 94.8% of fathers identified as White British). Results showed significant variability in mind mindedness within both expectant mothers and expectant fathers, with no mean group difference. Auto-regressive models demonstrated modest positive associations between prenatal and postnatal mind-mindedness. Latent change score models showed gains in mean mind-mindedness over time that, on average, were stronger for mothers than for fathers. For fathers, gains in mind-mindedness were positively associated with having an infant daughter and infant surgency. For mothers, higher socioeconomic status and more equal childcare were associated with greater gains in mind-mindedness across toddlerhood. Within-couple associations were evident for changes in mind-mindedness, but not for initial (prenatal) scores. We apply the relational account of mind-mindedness to frame our discussion of these findings that, by highlighting both developmental stability and change in mind-mindedness, suggest fruitful avenues for future research. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Notes: | https://doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-853278 |
| Entry Date: | 2023 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1366618 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study examined the development of caregiver mind-mindedness--defined as the propensity to see one's child as an agent with an independent mind--across the first 1,000 days of life. At four timepoints (i.e., third trimester of pregnancy, 4, 14, and 24 months postpartum), 384 first-time mothers (M[subscript age] = 32.55, SD = 3.63 years) and fathers (M[subscript age] = 33.96, SD = 4.40 years) gave 5-minute speech samples about their infant that were coded for mind-mindedness (Meins & Fernyhough, 2015). Reflecting the local population, the 192 heterosexual couples were highly educated (84.6% of mothers, 77.1% of fathers had a degree) and ethnically homogenous (92.7% of mothers, 94.8% of fathers identified as White British). Results showed significant variability in mind mindedness within both expectant mothers and expectant fathers, with no mean group difference. Auto-regressive models demonstrated modest positive associations between prenatal and postnatal mind-mindedness. Latent change score models showed gains in mean mind-mindedness over time that, on average, were stronger for mothers than for fathers. For fathers, gains in mind-mindedness were positively associated with having an infant daughter and infant surgency. For mothers, higher socioeconomic status and more equal childcare were associated with greater gains in mind-mindedness across toddlerhood. Within-couple associations were evident for changes in mind-mindedness, but not for initial (prenatal) scores. We apply the relational account of mind-mindedness to frame our discussion of these findings that, by highlighting both developmental stability and change in mind-mindedness, suggest fruitful avenues for future research. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0001468 |
