title: Differential distribution and lateralization of infant gestures and their relation to maternal gestures in the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm.
abstract: We examined whether there are differences in the lateralization of expressive gestures in infants during normal and stressful interactions with their mothers and the relations between their gestures. Thirty full-term 6-12 month-old infants were videotaped during the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm. We coded the occurrence and lateralization of infant self-directed and other-directed gestures and maternal proximal and distal gestures. Infant self-directed gestures increased from the Play to Still-Face episode and decreased from the Still-Face to Reunion episode. Other-directed gestures decreased from the Play to Still-Face and increased from the Still-Face to Reunion episode. During the Still-Face, self-directed gestures were predominantly performed with the left side of the body. Maternal gestures were not lateralized, but there was a prevalence of distal gestures in the Play and Reunion episodes of the paradigm. Left-sided infant other-directed gestures and left-sided maternal gestures were associated with each other. The findings highlight a differential utilization and lateralization of self- and other-directed gestures related to context and the stress experienced by the infant as well as to maternal gestures. These results are suggestive of a brain asymmetry, but an asymmetry related to emotional engagement and stress regulation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Study of Social Emotional Development of the At Risk Infant, Scientific Institute E Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy. rosario.montirosso@bp.lnf.it
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montirosso
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cozzi
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tronick
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borgatti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D005868:Gestures; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012919:Social Behavior; D012927:Social Control, Informal