Predicting Positive Affect in Infancy
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| Title: | Predicting Positive Affect in Infancy |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Tobias Grossmann, Halle Miller, Olivia Allison |
| Source: | Developmental Science. 2026 29(3). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 8 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Affective Behavior, Infants, Biology, Social Influences, Mothers, Genetics, Parent Child Relationship, Infant Behavior, Predictor Variables |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Rothbart Infant Behavior Questionnaire |
| DOI: | 10.1111/desc.70192 |
| ISSN: | 1363-755X 1467-7687 |
| Abstract: | Positive affect (PA) is integral to health and development, yet its early origins remain largely unexplored. In this pre-registered study (N = 78), we investigated whether infant-specific biological and social-behavioral factors predict PA in early development. Seventy-eight typically developing infants and their mothers from a longitudinal cohort contributed complete data. At 5 months, infant "CD38" rs3796863 genotype (linked to oxytocin release), salivary cortisol levels, and social engagement during mother-infant free play were assessed. At 7 months, infant PA was measured using the Positive Emotionality/Surgency (PEm) factor of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R, operationalizing PA as a broader PEm temperament construct). Analysis revealed that infant PA at 7 months was predicted by infant CD38 genotype, with AA/AC genotypes associated with higher PA; lower infant cortisol levels; and higher infant social engagement. These infant-specific factors collectively explained 27% of the variance in infant PA. Corresponding maternal biological and behavioral measures did not predict infant PA. These findings offer novel insights into the early, multifaceted, and infant-specific biological and behavioral foundations of PA, a crucial component of human well-being. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1504267 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Positive affect (PA) is integral to health and development, yet its early origins remain largely unexplored. In this pre-registered study (N = 78), we investigated whether infant-specific biological and social-behavioral factors predict PA in early development. Seventy-eight typically developing infants and their mothers from a longitudinal cohort contributed complete data. At 5 months, infant "CD38" rs3796863 genotype (linked to oxytocin release), salivary cortisol levels, and social engagement during mother-infant free play were assessed. At 7 months, infant PA was measured using the Positive Emotionality/Surgency (PEm) factor of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R, operationalizing PA as a broader PEm temperament construct). Analysis revealed that infant PA at 7 months was predicted by infant CD38 genotype, with AA/AC genotypes associated with higher PA; lower infant cortisol levels; and higher infant social engagement. These infant-specific factors collectively explained 27% of the variance in infant PA. Corresponding maternal biological and behavioral measures did not predict infant PA. These findings offer novel insights into the early, multifaceted, and infant-specific biological and behavioral foundations of PA, a crucial component of human well-being. |
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| ISSN: | 1363-755X 1467-7687 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/desc.70192 |
