Parent-Infant Interaction, Regulation and Language Development at 6 Months: Preliminary Findings

The quality of early interactions between parents and their children is essential for fostering healthy development. This study investigates the relationship between parent-infant interaction, language development and infant regulation, as well as the distinct roles of mothers and fathers. A total of 40 mother-child dyads were examined at six months postpartum. Self-report questionnaires were used to evaluate maternal depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), parental attachment-related attitudes (Revised Adult Attachment Scale), and infant regulation (Questionnaire for Crying, Feeding and Sleeping). Mother-infant interactions were recorded on video and subsequently evaluated using the Infant CARE-Index, with an additional assessment of father-infant interaction in a smaller subsample of 20 dyads. The findings indicate that higher maternal depressive symptoms were linked to an increased prevalence of infant regulatory challenges, such as crying and sleep difficulties. Notably, fathers demonstrated significantly higher interaction quality than mothers, despite similar co-regulatory behaviors between parents. These results underscore the impact of maternal mental health on infant regulation and emphasize the importance of father involvement in early child development.