title: Indirect Effects of Maternal Sensitivity on Infant Emotion Regulation Behaviors: The Role of Vagal Withdrawal.
abstract: The potential indirect effect of observed maternal sensitivity at 5 months on the development of infants' behavioral regulation of emotion from 5 to 10 months (i.e., distraction and maternal-orientation behaviors) via infant's vagal withdrawal was investigated (N= 230). Results indicated that maternal sensitivity at 5 months was not directly associated with behavioral regulation at 10 months. However, greater maternal sensitivity at 5 months was associated with greater vagal withdrawal at 10 months, after controlling for vagal withdrawal at 5 months. Further, vagal withdrawal at 10 months was associated with greater orientation toward the mother at 10 months, after controlling for 5-month orientation behaviors. The indirect effect of maternal sensitivity on maternal-orientation behaviors was significant, suggesting that infant's vagal withdrawal may be one potential mechanism through which maternal sensitivity is related to behavioral regulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
authors.forename: Nicole B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Calkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech.
authors.forename: Martha Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bell