Parent-Infant Interactions As a Moderator for Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Christie Pham

doi:10.7273/000005248

Electroencephalography (EEG) allows a researcher to non-invasively obtain neural correlates of temperament. In particular, frontal EEG asymmetry (across the left frontal electrode F3 and the right frontal electrode F4) reflects individual differences, with greater right hemisphere activation linked to withdrawal motivation/negative emotions and greater left asymmetry associated with approach/positive affectivity. The interaction between an infant’s environment and neuroplasticity in infancy (Tierney & Nelson, 2009) should be thoroughly examined as it has been shown to play an important role in shaping the nature of the infant’s development (i.e., toward adjustment or risk; Fox et al., 1994). The current study aims to examine the impact of particular aspects of parent-infant interactions: tempo, intensity, and directiveness, on the relationship between the infant temperament, particularly Negative Emotionality and Surgency/Positive Affectivity, and frontal EEG asymmetry measured during a laboratory task designed to elicit responses to novelty: the Masks episode. It is hypothesized that infants whose mothers exhibit higher tempo, but lower intensity and maternal directiveness, will demonstrate relative left frontal activation during the Masks episode, even in the context of greater Negative Emotionality. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between maternal tempo, intensity, directiveness and infant EEG asymmetry during the Masks episode. Specifically, Negative Emotionality and Surgency/Positive Affectivity, linked with relative right and left frontal EEG asymmetry, respectively, were considered as predictors of EEG markers, with parent-infant interaction scales considered as moderators of these links. Analyses related to Effortful Control/Regulatory Capacity should be considered exploratory in nature, due to a dearth of related research. Though main effect hypotheses surrounding Surgency/Positive Affectivity were supported, hypothesis concerning Negative Emotionality and overall interactions with parent-infant interaction scales were not significant. It is suggested that in response to the fear-inducing Masks episode, biologically based predispositions remained a stronger predictor of neurological outcomes in comparison to environmental factors. Future research should expand upon the current study by using a larger, more diverse sample to assess the role different parent-infant interaction scales play in influencing infant responses to their environment.

Parent-Infant Interactions As a Moderator for Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

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