title: Differential associations between maternal scaffolding and toddler emotion regulation in toddlers born preterm and full term.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Parental "scaffolding" behavior has been associated with developmental outcomes in at-risk children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Because there are limited empirical data regarding how scaffolding is associated with emotion-based developmental skills, the purpose of this study was to compare associations between maternal verbal scaffolding and toddler emotion regulation, including fewer displays of negative affect and increased contentment and enjoyment during play, in toddlers born preterm and full term.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a cross-sectional cohort design. Maternal and toddler behavior was assessed during 5 min of videotaped free play with standardized toys.
  
  
  METHODS
  131 toddlers (18-22 months) and their mothers were included (77 born preterm; 54 born full term).
  
  
  METHODS
  Toddler emotion regulation, negative affect, and dyadic mutual enjoyment were coded from videotaped play.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The association between maternal scaffolding and emotion regulation was different for dyads with a toddler born preterm versus full term, wherein the association was positive for toddlers born preterm and non-significant for toddlers born full term. Similarly, the association between maternal scaffolding and negative affect was different for the two groups: negative for toddlers born preterm and non-significant for toddlers born full term. Finally, the association between maternal scaffolding and mutual enjoyment was positive for toddlers born preterm and non-significant for toddlers born full term.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings highlight early differences in mother-child interactive style correlates of children born preterm compared to those born full term. Maternal scaffolding behavior may be uniquely associated with emotion regulation and a positive dyadic encounter for toddlers born preterm.
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Department of Psychology, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: Susanne W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Duvall
authors.forename: Janell
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schrader
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: MacLean
authors.forename: Jean R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D014705:Verbal Behavior
keywords: Affect; BSID-II; BSID-III; Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2nd edition; Bayley Scales of Infant Development 3rd edition; C-CARES; Caregiver‐Child Affect, Responsiveness, and Engagement Scale; Emotion regulation; LBW; MDI; Maternal scaffolding; Mental Developmental Index; Mutual enjoyment; Preterm; Toddler communication; VLBW; low birth weight; very low birth weight