[Category system for microanalysis of early mother-child interaction]

As part of a prospective longitudinal study on the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders in children at biological and psychosocial risk, a system of categories was developed for the assessment of early mother-child interaction. A computer program for recording observational data in synchrony with video images by online coding was developed for this purpose. It permits second-by-second recording of basic categories and complex interactional behavior of mother and child. An evaluation of instrumental validity, interrater reliability and the validity of the system with 48 mother-child dyads yielded positive results. Measures of interaction (synchrony, reciprocity, elicit) and of disturbed interactions were defined.