Measuring Memory Span

This study, conducted on a sample of 403 adult subjects, set out to explore the relationships between measures of digit span (forward and reversed), motor and spatial span, and their dependence on a broad range of measures of cognitive function. The results revealed that measures of digit span are closely related, as are measures of motor and spatial span, but these pairs of memory span measures are relatively independent of each other. Furthermore, reverse digit span, motor span, and spatial span appear to rely on what might be regarded as intellectual or executive cognitive functions. As such, the results provide little support for accounts of serial recall, which suggest that order and/or item information are more adequately modelled in a modality-independent form.     

Depressed mothers' assessments of their neonates' behaviors

Neonates were assessed at delivery and again at 1 month by examiners and by their depressed or nondepressed mothers. Examiner assessments were conducted using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). Maternal assessments were conducted by mothers using a simplified version of the NBAS, the Mother's Assessment of the Behavior of her Infant (MABI). Examiners rated neonates of depressed mothers lower than infants of nondepressed mothers on state organization. At delivery, newborn infants of depressed mothers were given lower state regulation scores by their mothers than by the examiners and, 1 month later, examiners’ state regulation ratings were as negative as those of the depressed mothers. Conversely, infants of nondepressed mothers were given higher social interaction scores by their mothers than by the examiners, and 1 month later, examiner ratings of social interaction were as positive as those of the nondepressed mothers. These findings suggest that infants of depressed mothers may be placed at risk by prenatal influences and by risks associated with maternal perceptions. Perceptions of infants appear to be colored by maternal depression status as early as the immediate postpartum period and, though “subjective,” these perceptions are predictive of infant outcomes.     

Touch by Intrusive and Withdrawn Mothers with Depressive Symptoms

Interaction behaviours of 88 adolescent mothers with depressive symptoms and their 3-month-old infants were videotaped and coded for different types of touch. The ‘depressed’ mothers were classified as intrusive, withdrawm or good by one observer and another observer coded rough tickling, poking, tugging and pulling as negative touch behaviours and gentle stroking and rubbing as positive touch behaviours. The mothers with depressive symptoms were more likely to touch their infants in a negative way and more likely to be classified as intrusive.     

Less exploring by mouth occurs in newborns of depressed mothers

Twenty‐four newborns (M age = 12 days) of depressed and nondepressed mothers were assessed for oral perception of a nubby and smooth texture. Both groups of newborns discriminated between these textures and showed a sucking preference for the smooth texture. However, the newborns of depressed mothers spent 50% less time orally exploring the stimuli, one‐third less time exploring the more novel nubby texture, and 59% less time mouthing the smooth texture. Newborns of depressed mothers may have biological differences that affect their emotional arousal and emotional regulation (e.g., capacity for self‐soothing). © 2000 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.     

Working mother-infant interactions across the second year of life

Play interactions between 36 college-educated, middle-income, working mothers and their infants, who had attended nursery school since 1 month of age, were videotaped when the infants were 12, 18, and 24 months of age. The videotapes were coded for mother and infant looking at each other, vocalizing, affectionate play, and constructive play. Changes noted in the infants' play behaviors across this period included an increase in infant vocalizations and constructive play and a decrease in affectionate play. These results, together with corresponding decreases in the mothers' constructive and affectionate play behavior, suggest growing autonomy of the infants' play and encouragement of autonomy by the mothers. Stability of behaviors across this period and stability of relations between infant and mother behaviors were only moderate. Comparison of these data with data from a study by Clarke-Stewart and Hevey (1981) suggested greater frequency of interactive behavior among working mothers and their infants than among nonworking mothers and their infants.     

Infants' responses to mothers' imitative behaviors

Several investigators have suggested that young infants' smiles and vocalizations following their mothers' imitative behaviors might reflect infant recognition that the mother's behavior is imitative or at least contingent. This study investigated whether infants smile and vocalize more frequently subsequent to maternal imitative than non-imitative behavior during both spontaneous and imitative face-to-face interactions. Fourteen 3 1/2-month-old infants and their mothers were videotaped in these two face-to-face interaction situations. The infants vocalized more frequently during the imitative situation and infant vocalizations plus simultaneous smiling, and vocalizations occurred more often following maternal imitative than non-imitative behavior. Although these data suggest that infant vocalizations and simultaneous smiles and vocalizations may reflect the infants' recognition of maternal imitative behavior, they do not establish definitively that it is the imitation per se vs. the contingency aspect that is recognized by the infant.     

Moderately dysphoric mothers behave more positively with their infants after completing the BDI

To determine whether mildly and moderately dysphoric adolescent mothers display infantized facial and vocal behaviors, 21 nondysphoric mothers and 32 dysphoric (16 mildly and 16 moderately/severely dysphoric) mothers were videotaped during face-to-face interactions with their 4-month-old infants. Mildly dysphoric mothers showed less positive facial expressions and less animated/exaggerated vocal expressions. The moderately/severely dysphoric mothers, however, did not differ from nondysphoric mothers in their display of facial and vocal behaviors. These mothers with higher Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores may have become concerned about their many symptoms affecting their interactions and tried to compensate for this during their interactions. A second study was conducted to determine whether completing the BDI before interactions positively affected the moderately/severely dysphoric mothers' behavior. Moderately/severely dysphoric mothers (N=24) and mildly dysphoric mothers (N=24) were given the Beck Depression Inventory either before or after their face-to-face interactions with their 4-month-old infants. Moderately/severely dysphoric mothers who were given the BDI before their interactions showed more positive behavior than mothers given the BDI after their interactions. © 1997 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health     

Fathers' caregiving in low-income African–American and Hispanic–American families

The present study assessed fathers' and mothers' relative involvement in infant caregiving tasks in 34 low-income African–American and Hispanic–American families. Analysis showed that involvement in childcare differed as a function of the gender of the parent. Fathers spent one half the time mothers did in caregiving. However, fathers' and mothers' participation in caregiving did not vary as a function of ethnic group. African–American parents reported to have received more family support than Hispanic–American parents. Although relationships were noted between age, income, education, length of marriage, social support, and involvement in infant caregiving, these sociodemographic variables did not predict parents' participation in childcare. The results are discussed in relation to the preconceived notion that low-income, minority fathers are ‘uninvolved’. ©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.