Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
07:56
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
10.9K
REFLECTIVE FUNCTIONING AND PERSONALITY ORGANIZATION: ASSOCIATIONS WITH NEGATIVE MATERNAL BEHAVIORS
Karin Ensink1, Marie-Eve Rousseau1, Marko Biberdzic1
1Université Laval, Québec.
Infant Mental Health Journal
|April 21, 2017
Summary
Maternal reflective functioning (RF) and personality organization are linked to insensitive parenting. Mothers with intrusive behaviors showed lower RF and more personality issues, highlighting the importance of mentalization in early relationships.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- Insensitive and disconnected maternal behaviors can negatively impact infant development.
- Maternal reflective functioning (RF) and personality organization are crucial for sensitive parenting.
- Understanding the factors contributing to insensitive parenting is vital for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal reflective functioning (RF), personality organization, and insensitive/disconnected parenting behaviors.
- To explore differences in RF and personality organization among mothers exhibiting varying interaction styles with their infants.
- To examine the role of abuse history in these associations.
Main Methods:
- 86 mother-infant dyads, with 28 having a history of abuse, were studied.
- Maternal RF was assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview.
- Personality organization and maternal behaviors were evaluated using self-report measures and observational tools.
Main Results:
- Both RF and personality organization were significantly associated with insensitive and disconnected maternal behaviors.
- Mothers with intrusive/aggressive behaviors exhibited lower RF and greater difficulties in personality organization (reality testing, identity, defense mechanisms).
- Withdrawn/disconnected behaviors were linked to combined deficits in mentalization and personality organization.
Conclusions:
- Maternal RF and personality organization are important predictors of parenting behaviors.
- A mentalizing stance in early attachment relationships is crucial for modulating maternal behaviors, particularly intrusive/aggressive ones.
- These findings underscore the significance of supporting maternal mentalization and personality organization for healthier parent-child interactions.
Keywords:
MentalisierungsfähigkeitMutter-Kind-InteraktionenPersönlichkeitsorganisationatypical maternal behaviorsatypische mütterliche Verhaltensweisencomportements maternels atypiquesconductas maternas atípicasfonctionnement de réflexionfuncionamiento de reflexióninteracciones madre-infanteinteractions mère-bébémother-infant interactionsorganisation de la personalitéorganización de la personalidadpersonality organizationreflective functioningパーソナリティ構造人格組織内省機能反思功能母嬰互動母親 - 乳児相互交流非典型產婦行為非定型的な母性行動More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
976
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Primary Temperament Types
976
01:27Parenting Styles
778
Diana Baumrind's four parenting styles — authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful, and permissive — each influence children's socio-emotional development differently.
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
778
01:28Relationship with Parents: Attachment
295
Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
295
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
305
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
305
01:29Dark Triad and Person Perception
355
Person perception is influenced by both external behaviors and the observer’s internal characteristics, including personality traits. Individuals with dark personality traits, comprising psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism — collectively known as the dark triad – exhibit manipulative and exploitative tendencies in social contexts. These traits affect how they perceive others and how they are perceived.The Role of Dark Personality Traits in Person PerceptionBlack et...
355
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.8K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.8K