Maternal executive functioning is associated with infant sustained attention, but not executive functioning, in a sex-specific manner

: Karonen Anniina, Kataja Eeva-Leena, Bridgett David J., Paunio Tiina, Kantojärvi Katri, Korja Riikka, Karlsson Hasse, Karlsson Linnea, Nolvi Saara

Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

: 2023

: Nordic Psychology

: NORDIC PSYCHOLOGY

: NORD PSYCHOL

: 15

: 1901-2276

: 1904-0016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19012276.2023.2173275

: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179196670

Parental executive functioning (EF) is considered one key contributing source, via direct and indirect routes, of inter-individual variation in offspring EF. The current study investigated the unexplored associations between maternal EF and infant EF as well as its precursor, sustained attention. Ninety-seven mother-infant-dyads from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study participated. Maternal EF was assessed using selected measures from the Cogstate test battery. At 8 months, infants completed Lab-TAB Blocks and modified A-not-B tasks. A modest but robust link between maternal EF and infant attention was revealed in girls. There was no association between mother and infant EF in either sex at 8 months. Notable directions for future research, and potential underlying mechanisms of sex differences are discussed.

Maternal executive functioning is associated with infant sustained attention but not executive functioning in a sex specific manner.pdf