Maternal Psychological Absence and Toddlers' Social‐Emotional Development: Interpretations From the Perspective of Boundary Ambiguity Theory |
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| Authors: | Erika L. Bocknek Holly E. Brophy‐Herb Hiram Fitzgerald Kathleen Burns‐Jager Marsha T. Carolan |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, , Ann Arbor, MI;2. Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, , East Lansing, MI;3. University Outreach and Engagement, Michigan State University, Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University, , East Lansing, MI |
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| Abstract: | The current study tests a novel latent construct reflecting psychological absence and examines its relations with maternal depression, mother–toddler interactions, and toddlers' social‐emotional outcomes in a low‐income sample (N = 2,632). Structural equation modeling confirmed a psychological absence construct and revealed that psychological absence, measured at the child's 36‐month birthday‐related assessment, is a significant predictor of children's social‐emotional development at 36 months, mediated by mother–child interaction. Results are interpreted within a boundary ambiguity framework. |
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| Keywords: | Boundary Ambiguity Psychological Absence Social‐Emotional Development |
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