The role of maternal affect attunement in dyadic and triadic communication

Maria Legerstee, Gabriela Markova, Tamara Fisher

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

The influence of maternal affect attunement on the relationship between gaze monitoring during dyadic communication at 3 months and coordinated attention during triadic communication at 5, 7 and 10 months was examined in a longitudinal study. Although most infants engaged in gaze monitoring at 3 months and in coordinated attention at 5, 7 and 10 months, a regression analysis revealed that gaze monitoring at 3 months significantly predicted coordinated attention at 10 months only when maternal affect attunement was high. These findings are discussed in terms of theories that emphasize the role of social interaction in the development of meaningful communication and continuity in mental state awareness during the first year of life.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)296-306
Number of pages11
JournalInfant Behavior and Development
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 501005 Developmental psychology

Keywords

  • Affect
  • Communication
  • Eye Movements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Behavior
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Cite this