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Maternal mind–mindedness and toddler behavior problems: The moderating role of maternal trauma and posttraumatic stress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2017

M. Ann Easterbrooks ,
Molly K. Crossman ,
Alessandra Caruso ,
Maryna Raskin  and
Claudia Miranda-Julian
M. Ann Easterbrooks*
Affiliation:
Tufts University
Molly K. Crossman
Affiliation:
Tufts University
Alessandra Caruso
Affiliation:
Tufts University
Maryna Raskin
Affiliation:
Tufts University
Claudia Miranda-Julian
Affiliation:
Tufts University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: M. Ann Easterbrooks, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, 105 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155; E-mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

Maternal mind–mindedness (MM) reflects a caregiver's tendency to view a child as an individual with an independent mind. Research has linked higher MM with more favorable parenting and child adaptation. The aim of this study was to examine whether MM was associated with toddlers’ behavior problems and competence, and the moderating role of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample (N = 212) of adolescent mothers and their toddlers. MM was coded from maternal utterances during free play; mothers completed the University of California at Los Angeles Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index and reported on children's behavior problems and competence using the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. The majority of mothers (84%) experienced trauma; 45% of these mothers met criteria for partial or full PTSD. Trauma was related to greater behavior problems, and PTSD moderated MM–child functioning relations. When mothers experienced full PTSD, there was no relation between MM and behavior problems. With child competence, when compared to children of mothers with no trauma exposure, children of mothers experiencing partial PTSD symptoms were more likely to have delays in competence when mothers made more MM comments. Results are discussed in light of how MM, in the context of trauma and PTSD, may affect parenting.

Type
Regular Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 29 , Issue 4 , October 2017 , pp. 1431 - 1442
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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Footnotes

Funding was provided by the Children's Trust, Massachusetts, Grant 5014. We are grateful for the support of colleagues at the Tufts Interdisciplinary Evaluation Research Group and for the participation of the research participants.

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