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Infant Effortful Control Mediates Relations Between Nondirective Parenting and Internalising-Related Child Behaviours

C G Smith1, E J H Jones2, S V Wass3

  • 1Henry Wellcome Building, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK. celia.smith@kcl.ac.uk.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Nondirective parenting in infancy may reduce internalizing problems in children, particularly those at high risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This occurs by fostering greater effortful control, a key developmental factor.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Internalizing problems are prevalent in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), necessitating early interventions.
  • Temperament and parenting interactions are crucial in shaping early behavioral development.
  • Infants with an older sibling with ASD represent an 'at-risk' cohort for developmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal association between parenting styles and infant behavioral development.
  • To examine the role of infant temperament (behavioral inhibition and effortful control) in relation to later internalizing symptoms.
  • To explore parenting's potential to mitigate internalizing problems in infants from ASD-enriched families.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study tracking infants with and without an older sibling diagnosed with ASD.
  • Assessment of parenting (nondirective) at 8-14 months.
  • Measurement of infant behavioral inhibition (8-14 months), effortful control (24 months), and internalizing symptoms (3 years).
  • Mediation and moderation analyses were employed.

Main Results:

  • Nondirective parenting at 8 months was associated with fewer internalizing problems at 3 years.
  • This protective effect was mediated by increased effortful control at 24 months.
  • Parenting style did not moderate the direct relationship between early behavioral inhibition and later internalizing symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Nondirective parenting may serve as a protective factor, promoting effortful control and reducing internalizing symptoms in at-risk infants.
  • Findings highlight the potential for parenting interventions to support socio-emotional development in early childhood, especially in ASD-enriched contexts.
  • Further research should explore mechanisms through which parenting influences developmental trajectories in infants vulnerable to internalizing problems.

Keywords:
ASDAnxietyBehavioural inhibitionEffortful controlInfant sibling studyInternalisingParent-infant interactionTemperament

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