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Predicting Positive Affect in Infancy
Tobias Grossmann1, Halle Miller1, Olivia Allison1
1Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
Developmental Science
|April 25, 2026
Summary
Infant biology and social engagement at 5 months predict positive affect (PA) at 7 months. These infant-specific factors, including CD38 genotype and cortisol, explain 27% of PA variance, highlighting early developmental foundations.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Genetics
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Positive affect (PA) is crucial for health and development.
- Early origins of PA are not well understood.
- Investigating infant-specific predictors of early PA is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine infant-specific biological and social-behavioral factors predicting PA.
- To determine if maternal factors also predict infant PA.
- To understand the early foundations of positive emotional development.
Main Methods:
- Assessed infant CD38 genotype, salivary cortisol, and social engagement at 5 months.
- Measured infant PA using the Positive Emotionality/Surgency (PEm) factor at 7 months.
- Utilized a pre-registered, longitudinal cohort study with 78 infants and mothers.
Main Results:
- Infant CD38 genotype (AA/AC) predicted higher PA.
- Lower infant cortisol levels were associated with higher PA.
- Higher infant social engagement predicted higher PA.
- Infant-specific factors explained 27% of the variance in infant PA.
- Maternal measures did not predict infant PA.
Conclusions:
- Early positive affect is influenced by infant-specific biological and behavioral factors.
- CD38 genotype, cortisol, and social engagement are key early predictors of PA.
- Findings support an infant-centric model of early affective development.
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