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. 2017 Apr:67:97-105.
doi: 10.1016/j.jrp.2016.05.008. Epub 2016 May 20.

Predicting toddler temperamental approach-withdrawal: Contributions of early approach tendencies, parenting behavior, and contextual novelty

Mairin E Augustine  1 , Kameron J Moding  1 , Cynthia A Stifter  1
Affiliations

Predicting toddler temperamental approach-withdrawal: Contributions of early approach tendencies, parenting behavior, and contextual novelty

Mairin E Augustine et al. J Res Pers. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Research suggests that temperamental approach-withdrawal is subject to parenting influences, but few studies have explored how specific parenting behaviors and contextual novelty contribute to the observed pattern of effects. The present study examined associations between infant temperamental approach, mother behavior while introducing novel objects (12 months) and temperamental approach-withdrawal in toddlerhood (18 months) in a sample of 132 infants (68 males). Maternal positive affect predicted more toddler approach-withdrawal for high-approach infants and maternal stimulation predicted less toddler approach-withdrawal for low-approach infants; however, these patterns varied with intensity of novelty in both parenting and toddler outcome contexts. Thus, maternal behavior may lead to stronger associations between earlier and later measures of approach-withdrawal; however, these effects are tied to contexts of measurement.

Keywords: Temperament; approach-withdrawal; context; infancy; parenting.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of maternal positive affect with high-intense novel toy on risk room approach-withdrawal based on toy reach exploration.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of maternal stimulation with low-intense novel toy on clown approach-withdrawal based on toy reach exploration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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