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Exploring an integrative model of infant behavior: what is the relationship among temperament, sensory processing,

Andrea DeSantis1, Debra Harkins, Ed Tronick

  • 1Department of Developmental Medicine, Children's Hospital, Child Development Unit, 1295 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215, United States. andrea.desantis@childrens.harvard.edu

Infant Behavior & Development
|March 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This study integrates infant behavior assessments, revealing a three-factor model linking temperament, sensory processing, and neurobehavioral factors. Findings offer new insights for infant assessment and intervention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Behavioral Pediatrics
  • Infant Neurobehavioral Research

Background:

  • Infant behaviors are traditionally viewed through distinct disciplinary lenses: temperament (developmental psychology), sensory processing (occupational/physical therapy), and neurobehavioral perspectives (behavioral pediatrics).
  • Lack of integrated models hinders comprehensive understanding and application of infant assessment findings across these fields.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationships between summary scores from three key infant assessments: the Early Infancy Temperament Questionnaire (EITQ), the Infant Sensory Profile (ISP), and the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS).
  • To develop an integrative model of infant behavior that bridges disciplinary perspectives and assessment methods.

Main Methods:

  • A Principal Components Analysis was employed on selected subscale scores from the EITQ, ISP, and NNNS.
  • The study included a healthy sample of 100 one-month-old infants.

Main Results:

  • A three-factor model emerged from the analysis, identifying 'Sensory-Affective Reactivity,' 'Engagement,' and a factor linking 'State Regulation and Motor Competence.'
  • Temperament and sensory processing scores showed strong correlations within the 'Sensory-Affective Reactivity' and 'Engagement' factors.
  • State regulation and motor competence scores were strongly related on the third factor.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support a new, integrative model of infant behavior that validates existing theoretical frameworks and expands explanations across disciplines.
  • This integrated approach has significant implications for refining infant assessment, intervention, and management practices.
  • The study highlights the interconnectedness of temperament, sensory processing, and neurobehavioral factors in early infant development.

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