<p dir="ltr">The present study explored the association between maternal use of food to soothe and maternal sensitivity, while considering the potential moderating role of child negative affectivity. Before addressing the key questions, the congruence and stability of key constructs at two different time points, 12 and 18 months, using both self-reported and observer-reported data, were examined. A nonclinical sample of 136 mother-child dyads were recruited. Maternal use of food to soothe, child negative affectivity, and maternal sensitivity were observed across lab visits at both time points, 12 and 18 months. Mothers completed questionnaires about maternal use of food to soothe and child negative affectivity at both time points. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the associations and potential interaction effects between maternal sensitivity and child negative affectivity on maternal use of food to soothe.</p><p dir="ltr">Findings showed that maternal sensitivity was negatively associated with mothers’ use of food to soothe at 12 months in the lab, although this association was not observed at 18 months. Child negative affectivity did not moderate the significant association mentioned. The study also found low to moderate stability in mother-reported use of food to soothe, child negative affectivity, and maternal sensitivity across the two time points. Furthermore, the congruence between self-reported and observer-reported data on these practices was generally low, underscoring the challenges in measuring these behaviors.</p><p dir="ltr">The findings suggest that higher maternal sensitivity could potentially lower the frequency of using food as a soothing method at 12 months. Future research should aim to confirm these findings in more diverse populations and through less structured observational settings.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:purdue.edu/oai:figshare.com:article/26302174 |
| Date | 15 July 2024 |
| Creators | Geurim Kim (19134721) |
| Source Sets | Purdue University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis |
| Rights | CC BY 4.0 |
| Relation | https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/_b_PREDICTING_MATERNAL_USE_OF_FOOD_TO_SOOTHE_MATERNAL_SENSITIVITY_AND_CHILD_NEGATIVE_AFFECTIVITY_b_/26302174 |
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