Which Space for Fathers’ Mentalizing? A Systematic Review on Paternal Reflective Functioning, Mind-Mindedness and Insightfulness

Journal of Child and Family Studies, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(5), P. 1261 - 1279

Published: March 8, 2023

Abstract Over the past twenty years research interest has been focused on deepening role of parental mentalizing. Nevertheless, few studies have specifically addressed played by fathers’ This systematic review aims to bridge this gap offering an exploration paternal mentalizing within attachment theory considering three different operationalizations: Reflective Functioning, Parental Insightfulness and Mind-Mindedness. Starting from this, main goals are: (1) show effect child’s outcomes or family system, (2) increase exchange between theoretical frameworks, enhancing knowledge mentalization construct, (3) explore under-researched areas implications for clinical practice. PsycInfo, PsycArticle, Web Of Science, Scopus, Medline, PubMed EMBASE were systematically searched articles published until February 7, 2021. In total, 6311 considered review; these, thirty-six met inclusion criteria. The included subsequently split basis specific operationalization. Overall, data showed significant associations both parenting features variables related broader functioning context. also confirms processes in relation outcomes. conclusion, further aimed at examining influences, exploring causal pathways investigating relationship dimensions their diverse effects are recommended.

Language: Английский

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Parental insightfulness is associated with mother–father–child interactions among families of preschoolers with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 64(9), P. 1359 - 1368

Published: March 16, 2023

Background Parental insightfulness underlies parental sensitive behavior and is associated with secure attachment among Typically Developing (TD) children also Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Moving beyond the parent–child dyad, a study of TD their parents linked mothers' fathers' combined to triadic interactions. The goal current was examine this association in families ASD. hypothesis that interactions which both are insightful will be more cooperative than only one or neither parent insightful. Methods Eighty preschooler boys ASD participated study. assessed employing Insightfulness Assessment (IA) mother–father–child were observed coded Lausanne Triadic Play (LTP) procedure. Results As expected, displayed higher coordinated support LTP insightful, controlling for children's IQ severity symptoms. Children's engagement symptoms but not insightfulness. Conclusions importance considering paternal, addition maternal as foundation family interactions, discussed, well contribution assessing diagnosed

Language: Английский

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The significance of parental mentalizing for four-year-old children’s solitary pretend play

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(1), P. e0297671 - e0297671

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Pretend play is a signature behavior of early childhood and considered to reflect the child's emerging symbolic function, enabling interpretation social signals, language development, emotion understanding. While theory links parental mentalizing with children's pretend play, only few studies have investigated this association. These are limited infancy toddlerhood, child assessed during an adult (social play). Based on assumption that solitary reflects 'baseline' ability, in study, we at its peak, i.e., preschool age, without facilitation another player. The overall objective was investigate if increases complexity children.

Language: Английский

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A systematic review and meta‐analysis of parental mentalization in fathers and mothers

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

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

Abstract Despite the growing literature on parental mentalization (including measures such as mind‐mindedness, reflective functioning, and insightfulness), considerably less research has been conducted with fathers than mothers, leaving important gaps in our understanding of gender differences construct. Specifically, it is not clear whether mothers exhibit similar levels mentalization, their scores are correlated. This knowledge can help inform similarities between maternal paternal behaviors, well correlates. study sought to answer these questions using a systematic review meta‐analysis studies evaluating capacities partnered fathers. Across 36 (32 unique samples 87 effect sizes, N = 3,996 4,414 mothers), mainly from Europe North America, results show that presented lower ( d −.17, p < .001). There was also significant correlation same family r .15, were no moderators. Findings this emphasize need for use system approach.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of the Attachment and Child Health (ATTACHTM) Parenting Program on Mothers and Their Children at Risk of Maltreatment: Phase 2 Results

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 20(4), P. 3078 - 3078

Published: Feb. 9, 2023

Early adversity (e.g., family violence, parental depression, low income) places children at risk for maltreatment and negatively impacts developmental outcomes. Optimal reflective function (RF), defined as the parent’s ability to think about identify thoughts, feelings, mental states in themselves their children, is linked secure attachment may protect against suboptimal We present results of Phase 2 randomized control trials (RCTs) quasi-experimental studies (QES) Attachment Child Health (ATTACHTM) RF intervention families with maltreatment. parents experiencing adversity, along aged 0–5 years (n = 45), received 10–12-week ATTACHTM intervention. Building on completed 1 pilot data, examined outcomes long-standing interest, including child development, well new outcomes, perceived social support executive function, children’s behavior, sleep, function. RCTs QES revealed significant improvements parents’ RF, perception support, development (i.e., communication, problem-solving, personal–social, fine motor skills), a decrease sleep behavioral problems anxiety/depression, attention problems, aggressive externalizing problems), post-intervention. ATTACH™ positively prevent negative

Language: Английский

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Parental mentalization and children’s externalizing problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Development and Psychopathology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 17

Published: Oct. 14, 2024

Abstract Parental mentalization, as the ability to understand mental states (e.g., desires) behind their children’s actions, may play a relevant role in prevention of future externalizing problems. We conducted meta-analysis examine relationship between parental mentalization and Six electronic databases were searched for studies, published English or Spanish, linking empirically those two variables. Participants included caregivers children 0 18 years. The filtering process yielded 42 studies with 52 effect sizes. Random-effect analysis revealed higher associated fewer problems, an size r = −.19 (95% CI [−.25, −.13]). Due high heterogeneity ( I 2 83.750), further analyses explore factors affecting such association. Parenting experience developmental stage moderated relationship, but approaches operationalize (MM PRF), sample type (clinical/at-risk vs. community), reporting figure (primary caregiver other informants) did not. study highlights significance potential contributor behaviors among infants, children, adolescents. Our findings underscore practical implications equipping skills, helping them answer appropriately needs.

Language: Английский

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Parental mentalising among mothers with intellectual disability or ADHD: Links with experiences of abuse, neglect and psychosocial risk

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 36(6), P. 1206 - 1217

Published: May 17, 2023

Parental mentalising difficulties are robustly linked to caregiving problems. Mothers with intellectual disability at risk for problems, but knowledge on their parental abilities is lacking. The present study aimed fill this gap.Thirty mothers mild disability, and 61 comparison ADHD, were assessed using the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire. Contributions of maternal exposure childhood abuse/neglect psychosocial examined through hierarchical regression analysis.Mothers had a heightened difficulties, in form elevated prementalising. Intellectual cumulative uniquely predicted prementalising among mothers, whereas added specifically disability.Our findings support contextual models caregiving, suggest need mentalisation-based parents disability.

Language: Английский

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Emotion regulation in children (ERiC): A protocol for a randomised clinical trial to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) vs Treatment as Usual for school-age children with mixed emotional and behavioural difficulties

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(8), P. e0289503 - e0289503

Published: Aug. 17, 2023

The majority of children referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the UK will present with mixed emotional behavioural difficulties, but most mental health treatments are developed for single disorders. There is a need research on that helpful these especially school-age children. Emotion Regulation (ER) difficulties across wide range disorders mentalizing may help regulation. ability mentalize one's own experiences those others plays key role coping stress, regulation emotions, formation stable relationships. Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) well-evidenced therapy aims promote mentalization, which turn increases ER capacities, leading decreased difficulties. aim this study test clinical- cost-effectiveness MBT compared treatment as usual school age If effective, we hope approach can become available growing number presenting services mix difficulties.Children CAMHS aged 6-12 problems (emotional behavioural) primary problem take part their parent/carers. Children be randomly allocated receive either or (TAU) within clinic they have been to. 6-8 sessions offered fortnightly flexibly include different family members. TAU likely CBT, parenting groups, and/or children's social skills groups. Parent/carers asked complete outcome assessments (questionnaires tasks) online at start treatment, mid (8 weeks), end (16 weeks) follow up (40 weeks).Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN 11620914.

Language: Английский

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Relationship between Parenting Style and Peer Relationships during Early Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Parental Mentalizing

The Journal of Genetic Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 186(2), P. 144 - 161

Published: Oct. 14, 2024

Although previous research has suggested that parenting style affects children's peer relationships, the influential mechanism remains a subject of debate. We propose parental mentalizing plays crucial role in and relationships. Therefore, this study aimed to explore relationships between family styles, mentalizing, during early adolescence. In study, 379 primary school students (Mean age = 12.17 years, SD 0.92) their parents were assessed using Family Parenting Style Scale, Peer Relationship Satisfaction distorted task. The results showed mediating effect For fathers, favorable through mentalizing. Among mothers, interference, protection, punishment affect conclusion, Fathers'/mothers' differently.

Language: Английский

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Parental Insightfulness, Parental Sensitivity, Parent and Child Mental Health, and Attachment in Autistic Children: A Systematic Review

Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 26, 2024

Abstract This systematic review aimed to examine whether parental insightfulness is associated with sensitivity, parent and child mental health, attachment in autistic children. Eligible articles used a quantitative research design included participants who were parents or caregivers of diagnosed autism completed measure insightfulness. Eight papers (six studies) met inclusion criteria. Parental was higher sensitivity security. No studies investigated associations between health. Although limited, appears be families More required confirm these relationships exist cross-culturally, different caregivers.

Language: Английский

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