Parental prenatal representations of the child are related to 18-month-old children's social-emotional competence - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Parental prenatal representations of the child are related to 18-month-old children's social-emotional competence

Authors: Lindstedt, Johanna; Korja, Riikka; Carter, Alice; Pihlaja, Päivi; Ahlqvist-Björkroth, Sari

Publisher: Routledge

Publication year: 2024

Journal: Attachment and Human Development

Journal name in source: Attachment & human development

Journal acronym: Attach Hum Dev

Volume: 26

Issue: 4

First page : 383

Last page: 401

ISSN: 1461-6734

eISSN: 1469-2988

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2024.2376765

Web address : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14616734.2024.2376765

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/457195926

Abstract

Parental representations of the child are linked to positive developmental outcomes in children, but the impact of prenatal representations on early social-emotional development, particularly from fathers, is less understood. This study explores how fathers' and mothers' prenatal representations within two-parent families are associated with early social-emotional development. Prenatal representations of fathers (n = 88) and mothers (n = 92) were assessed between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation using the Working Model of the Child Interview, categorizing them as balanced or nonbalanced. The children's (n = 97; 49.5% girls) social-emotional and behavioral problems and competencies were measured at 18 months using the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. Balanced prenatal representations of both parents were related to higher social-emotional competence in toddlers. However, prenatal representations were not related to social-emotional and behavioral problems. The results highlight the benefits of balanced prenatal representations in promoting early social-emotional competence in children.

Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.

Parental prenatal representations of the child are related to 18-month-old children s social-emotional competence.pdf

Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation and Turku University Foundation.