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Mutual regulation during the naturalistic interaction of 150 mothers and their 4-month-old infants was investigated from a dynamic systems perspective. Microanalyses of a wide range of behaviors and analysis of contingencies indicated that a 3-s time period best captured contingencies. Both mothers and infants communicated primarily through vocal signals and responses, although maternal touches and infant looks also elicited responses. Although more expressive mothers did not have infants who behaved similarly, levels of contingent responsiveness between partners were significantly associated and occurred within distinct behavioral channels, suggesting coregulated interactional processes in which contingently responsive mothers shape their infants' communications toward mutual similarity. Mothers were more influential than infants over object play, whereas infants were more influential than mothers over expressive behavior. Interactional context consistently influenced contingent responsiveness; there was less mutual responsiveness when the infant was exploring, being held, or looking.

This study investigated the development of the coparenting relationship upon its initiation, after the transition to parenthood. The coparenting experiences and interactions of 101 married couples were assessed to evaluate the validity of the coparenting construct and to identify individual differences in trajectories of coparenting experiences. Five major conclusions emerged. First, the coparenting and the marriage are related but differentiated dimensions of the couple relationship, even in early infancy. Second, on average, coparenting experiences are positive and stable over the first six months of parenthood, but fathers are significantly more satisfied with coparenting than are mothers. Third, the pre-birth marital relationship, and especially fathers' positive marital interactions, are important indicators of whether both parents will feel supported and validated in coparenting. Fourth, change in post-birth marital experiences are inversely related to change in coparenting experiences, suggesting that one aspect of the couple relationship may be maintained at the expense of the other aspect. Fifth, other factors that change over time, particularly violated expectations for the division of childcare, predict the ways in which coparenting experiences develop. In addition, fathers reported better coparenting experiences when infants were perceived as having easier temperaments. In general, the development of coparenting appears to take different paths for mothers and fathers.RESUMEN: Este estudio investigó el desarrollo de la relación de crianza conjunta, a partir del primer momento, después de la transición a la paternidad/maternidad. Las experiencias de criar en conjunto y las interacciones de 101 parejas casadas fueron examinadas para evaluar la validez de la construcción de crianza en conjunto y para identificar las diferencias individuales en las trayectorias de las experiencias de crianza compartida. Se llegó a las siguientes cinco principales conclusiones. Primero, la crianza en conjunto y el matrimonio están correlacionados, pero se establecieron diferentes dimensiones en la relación de la pareja, aun en la primera infancia. Segundo, como promedio, las experiencias de una crianza compartida son positivas y estables en los primeros 6 meses de la paternidad/maternidad, pero los papás están significativamente más satisfechos con la crianza en conjunto que las mamás. Tercero, la relación marital antes del nacimiento del infante, y sobretodo la positiva interacción marital del padre, es un indicador importante de si ambos padres se van a sentir apoyados y aceptados en la crianza compartida. Cuarto, los cambios en las experiencias maritales después del parto están inversamente relacionadas con los cambios en las experiencias de crianza en conjunto, lo cual sugiere que un aspecto de la relación de • L.A. Van Egerenla pareja puede ser mantenido a costa del otro aspecto. Quinto, otros factores que cambian a través del tiempo, particularmente el que no se cumplan las expectativas de la división del c...

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the PLAY Project Home Consultation (PLAY) model, in combination with usual community services (CS), to improve parent-child interaction, child development, and autism symptomatology in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) compared to CS only. Methods Children (N=128) with autism or PDD-NOS (DSM IV criteria), 2 years-8 months to 5 years-11 months, recruited from five disability agencies in four U.S. states, were randomized in two one-year cohorts. Using videotape and written feedback within a developmental framework, PLAY consultants coached caregivers monthly for 12 months to improve caregiver-child interaction. CS included speech/language and occupational therapy and public education services. Primary outcomes included change in: parent and child interactions; language and development; and autism-related diagnostic category/symptoms. Secondary outcomes included parent stress and depression; and home consultant fidelity. Data were collected pre and post intervention. Results Using intent-to-treat analysis (ITT), large treatment effects were evident for parent and child interactional behaviors on the Maternal and Child Behavior Rating Scales. Child language and developmental quotient did not differ over time by group though functional development improved significantly. PLAY children improved in diagnostic categories on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). PLAY caregivers’ stress did not increase; depressive symptomatology decreased. Home Consultants administered the intervention with fidelity. Conclusions PLAY intervention demonstrated substantial changes in parent-child interaction without increasing parent stress/depression. ADOS findings must be interpreted cautiously as results do not align with clinical experience. PLAY offers communities a relatively inexpensive, effective intervention for children with ASD and their parents.

ABSTRACT:The aim of the current research was to identify prebirth predictors of coparenting experiences during the transition to parenthood. Questionnaires were used to assess 101 couples during the third trimester and one, three, and six months after the birth of the first child. Results of hierarchical linear modeling analyses indicated different predictors of coparenting level, linear change, and fluctuation for mothers and fathers. For mothers, coparenting experiences were associated with age, paternal education, concerns around child rearing, differences in child-rearing philosophy, and reactance, whereas for fathers, coparenting experiences were related to occupation, maternal ego development, coparenting in the family of origin, and both parents' motivation to raise children. There were indications that mothers may drive the development of the coparenting relationship for both parents.RESUMEN: La meta de la investigación actual fue la de identificar puntos que pudieran predecir antes del nacimiento las experiencias de una crianza compartida durante la transición al momento de tener hijos. Se usaron algunos cuestionarios para evaluar a 101 parejas durante el tercer trimestre y los meses 1, 3 y 6 después del nacimiento del primer hijo. Los resultados de un análisis de modelos lineales jerárquicos indicaron diferentes puntos de predicción de los niveles de crianza compartida, el cambio lineal, así como la fluctuación entre madres y padres. En el caso de las madres, las experiencias de una crianza compartida estuvieron asociadas con la edad, la educación paterna, las preocupaciones acerca de cómo criar a los niños, las diferencias en cuanto a la filosofía de la crianza, y las reacciones; en tanto que para los padres, las experiencias de una crianza compartida estuvieron relacionadas con la profesión, el desarrollo del amor propio maternal, la crianza compartida llevada a cabo en la familia original, y los motivos que ambos padres tienen para criar los hijos. Hubo indicaciones de que las madres pudieran ser quienes toman las riendas en el desarrollo de las relaciones de una crianza compartida para ambos padres.RÉ SUMÉ : Le but de nos recherches était d'identifier des facteurs de prédiction d'expériences de coparentage durant la transition à la condition de parent, ceci avant la naissance de l'enfant. Des questionnaires ont été utilisés pour évaluer 101 couples durant le troisième trimestre de la grossesse et à 1, 3, 6 mois après la naissance du premier enfant. Les résultats d'analyses linéaires hierarchiques de modélisation ont indiqué différents facteurs de prédiction de niveau de coparentage, de changement linéaire, et de fluctuation pour les mères et les pères. Pour les mères, les expériences de coparentage étaient associées à l'âge, à l'éducation paternelle, aux inquiétudes concernant la façon d'élever l'enfant, aux différences de philosophie sur la manière d'élever l'enfant, et à la réactance. Alors que pour les pères, les expériences de coparentage étaient liées à la profession, au développement de l'égo ...