[Mother-infant interaction and adrenocortical reactivity in infancy].
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal reactivity/sensitivity when interacting with her child and the adrenocortical reactivity of the child in a distressing situation. Based on former results reported in the literature a negative relationship was hypothesized. 20 mother-child-dyads were examined when babies were four and 23 dyads when babies were eight months old. At each age data were collected in two settings (laboratory and at home). In both settings the interaction between mother and child was observed. Additionally the adrenocortical reactivity of the baby was examined in a separate situation of induced stress. At the age of four months the expected negative relationship between maternal reactivity/sensitivity and the adrenocortical response was found to be significant. When babies were eight months this relationship was much weaker and not statistically significant. The present results are in congruence with formerly reported data from the literature.
Kerbel
Barbara
B
Abteilung Medizinische Psychologie, Zentrum für Psychosomatische Medizin, Klinikum der Universität Giessen.
Mertesacker
Bettina
B
Pauli-Pott
Ursula
U
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology
D006854:Hydrocortisone