Maternal Depression, Parental Reflective Functioning, and Emotional Responses to Infant Crying: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Mental Health Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 3(2)

Published: April 23, 2025

ABSTRACT Maternal depressive symptoms are highly prevalent postpartum and have been shown to negatively impact maternal caregiving. The emotional response infant crying has predict individual differences in the quality of caregiving behavior. Parental reflective functioning, that is, ability understand reflect on infant's mental states, may aid understanding distress signals thereby also regulating negative emotions crying. Therefore, first aim current study was investigate responses parental functioning mothers with clinically relevant depression compared without second test whether an association between is mediated by functioning. Mothers infants 1 12 months age who participated online survey about developing parent−infant relationship Germany were included present study. Depressive symptoms, assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), Reflective Functioning (PRFQ), My Emotions Questionnaire. A total 25.1% ( n = 148) reported whereas 74.9% 441) no or only mild symptoms. showed increased reactivity less optimal Further, like anxiety frustration partly dimensions findings indicate incorporation early parenting programs, particularly for experiencing at risk depression, be a critical factor promoting sensitive

Language: Английский

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The freedom to mentalize: The influence of socio‐demographic indicators of empowerment on parental reflective functioning

Infant Mental Health Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 1, 2025

Parental reflective functioning (PRF), a critical construct in the field of infant mental health, has been under investigated non-WEIRD countries, where majority world's infants are born. Studies from WEIRD contexts have demonstrated relationship between socio-demographic and parental scores. This study used mixed-methods concurrent exploratory research design to investigate relationships factors cohort Black mothers living Alexandra Township, South Africa. The found both abuse disclosure father involvement unexpected directions. Qualitative analysis interview transcripts intervention case notes highlighted potential role empowerment participants PRF findings highlight central importance considering influence power dynamics social positioning when measuring for clinical purposes.

Language: Английский

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Self-reported reflective functioning mediates the association between attachment insecurity and well-being among psychotherapists

Psychotherapy Research, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 31(2), P. 247 - 257

Published: May 20, 2020

Objective: Subjective well-being is a crucial variable for mental health practitioners. This study examines the influence of therapists' attachment dimensions and self-reported reflective functioning on their perceived well-being. Further, it if mediates association between insecurity Method: A total 416 experienced psychotherapists were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, completed self-report measures insecurity, functioning, We tested hypothesized mediation model with path analysis that examined indirect effects. Results: Both anxiety avoidance had significant negative small to medium "Certainty" positive effect therapist Reflective mediated insecure well-being, suggesting therapist's lower ability mentalize may partially account effects higher Conclusion: The greater deserve special attention, mentalizing capacities be targeted by researchers trainers as core cultivated order preserve professional personal resources.

Language: Английский

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Postpartum Stress and Neural Regulation of Emotion among First-Time Mothers

Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 21(5), P. 1066 - 1082

Published: June 14, 2021

Language: Английский

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Measuring Parental Reflective Functioning: Further Validation of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire in Portuguese Mothers of Infants and Young Children

Child Psychiatry & Human Development, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 54(4), P. 1042 - 1054

Published: Jan. 22, 2022

Language: Английский

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Psychometric Evaluation of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire in Chinese Parents

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Jan. 28, 2022

Parental reflective functioning (PRF) is important for parenting and child development. To effectively assess PRF in Chinese parents, this study aimed to revise the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) context. The original version of PRFQ (PRFQ-C) was revised by following psychometric validation procedures a sample parents (N = 2,021, 1,034 mothers 987 fathers). A series analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency reliability analysis, discriminant validity, criterion-related validity measurement invariance between fathers, were conducted. CFA results indicated that final 12-item, three-factor model had good fit {χ2(49) 472.381; CFI 0.929; TLI 0.904; RMSEA 0.065, 90%CI [0.060, 0.071]}. with 12 items (PRFQ-12C) showed satisfactory (omega 0.68-0.82), [heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT) values < 0.85], validity. PRFQ-12C also across fathers. In conclusion, psychometrically sound can be applied China.

Language: Английский

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Violence in the Family of Origin, Reflective Functioning, and the Perpetration of Isolating Behaviors in Intimate Relationships: A Mediation Model

Behavioral Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 288 - 288

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Background: The intergenerational transmission of violence from the family origin to couple relationships in adulthood is well-known scientific literature. However, perpetration isolating behaviors (IBs) still poorly explored, and additional studies are required comprehend mechanisms that intervene association between Violence (VFO) behaviors. Drawing Fonagy’s mentalization model, which describes reflective functioning as capacity conceive mental states explanations for one’s own other people’s behavior, present study aims examine mediating role link VFO Methods: Online self-report questionnaires were completed by 663 Italian participants (66.8% women; Mage = 28.4, SD 8.5) who a relationship last 12 months. A mediation model was tested assess direct indirect effects on through certainty uncertainty mentalization. Results: found Furthermore, we an effect behaviors, mediated Conclusions: results demonstrated support its implication relationships. Although these preliminary, they can provide useful data at theoretical clinical levels.

Language: Английский

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Emotion Dysregulation and Parent Emotion Socialization in Mothers with Borderline Pathology

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 9, 2025

Background Mothers with borderline personality disorder face unique challenges in parenting, as symptoms have been shown to negatively affect parent-child relationships. These can lead non-supportive reactions children's negative emotions, a form of parent emotion socialization (PES) that has linked outcomes children. Given the inherent emotional arousal evoked by dysregulation likely influences type PES parents utilize. However, no studies specifically examined how affects mothers pathology. Against this background, study aims (1) investigate link between maternal and strategies (2) assess if mediates relationship pathology PES. Methods The sample was comprised 148 (Mage = 34.92). Of these mothers, 53 had significant features. Emotion regulation evaluated using Difficulties Regulation Scale – Short Form assessed Coping Children’s Negative Scale. Significant features were determined Personality Assessment Inventory Borderline As part aim 1, bivariate correlations conducted examine relationships two strategies: supportive non-supportive. moderating role on moderation models. Results from first revealed small, correlation medium, positive found be moderator Conclusions current significantly contributes literature further elucidating its underlying mechanisms.

Language: Английский

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Parenting in Armed Political Conflict: Relationships Between Parental Efficacy, Reflective Functioning, and Age Among War‐Displaced Families

Journal of Advanced Nursing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 10, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim This study examines the relationships between parental efficacy, reflective functioning, and age among a unique population of internally displaced Israeli parents. Parents were specifically examined to understand interplay as protective factors children. Through examining these variables, we seek better how buffer negative effects war displacement on families with young Design A cross‐sectional design was employed gather data pertaining research part larger parent–child dyadic intervention. The presented here gathered prior intervention from January 2024 June 2024. Methods In all, 97 parents met in person by team. Data basic demographics, exposure war, relationship gathered. Information through online questionnaires using Qualtrics. One participant's responses excluded due missing data. Results Younger (aged 27–35) exhibited reduced efficacy under high conditions, while older 46–52) demonstrated increased efficacy. These decreases became less pronounced relation higher age. association found be insignificant for aged 35–46. Parental functioning emerged factor against declining buffering low moderate exposure, but diminished high‐stress conditions. Lastly, closer associated levels regardless levels. Conclusion results underscore conditional nature impact parenting, emphasising importance tailored interventions support across different life stages capacities. highlights need targeted strategies enhance resilience, fostering outcomes affected conflict displacement. Implications Profession and/or Patient Care Age‐appropriate considerations focusing are imperative when working ages Impact focused parenting wartime, We younger demonstrate conditions same Additionally, buffers all ages, only exposure. findings relevant around globe, addition war. Reporting Method adhered STROBE guidelines reporting studies this manuscript. or Public Contribution No patient public contribution.

Language: Английский

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Higher maternal reflective functioning is associated with toddlers’ adaptive emotion regulation

Infant Mental Health Journal, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 42(4), P. 473 - 487

Published: Dec. 29, 2020

ABSTRACT Parental reflective functioning (RF), the ability to consider child's behavior as a function of mental states (cognitions, emotions), is theorized promote emotion regulation in children via its positive impact on parenting sensitivity. Using sample mothers and toddlers ( N = 151 dyads; 41% Latinx; 54% girls; M Age 21 months; SD 2.5 months), we measured mothers’ self‐reported RF (high low certainty/high interest–curiosity/low prementalizing), toddlers’ distress during standardized challenging behavioral task (toy removal), three methods children's coping with distress. Then, tested whether moderated association between observed (mother‐directed adaptive coping, task‐directed maladaptive aggression) an index regulation. Although was not associated distress, indices associations coping. As maternal increased, toddler mother‐oriented whereas child aggression decreased. Findings were present only for certainty states, no effects prementalizing or interest/curiosity. We discuss these findings terms their contributions theory regarding parent–child relationships, RF,

Language: Английский

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