Mom is developing too: The reciprocal effects of infant sensory reactivity and maternal behavior

Caregiver sensitivity to infant cues is well-established as a predictor of child development. Infants also actively influence their social environment, especially their caregivers, even from their earliest days. Sensory reactivity, characterized as hypo- (under) and hyper- (over) responding to environmental stimuli, is one domain of development that is likely to influence caregiver-infant interaction, due to its role in regulating emotions and responses to both physical and social stimuli. Although sensory reactivity could be an important target for improving caregiver-child interaction, the longitudinal, reciprocal relations between infant sensory reactivity and caregiver behaviors are currently unknown. In the present study, we examined these associations in a community sample of mother-infant dyads (N = 252) at infant ages 6 and 12 months using a cross-lagged panel modeling approach. Results indicated that maternal sensitivity decreases infant hyperreactivity, and infant hyporeactivity was associated with increases in maternal sensitivity. Maternal intrusiveness exacerbated infant hyperreactivity over time and attenuated later infant hyporeactivity. The results of this study provide initial evidence for the mutually influential nature of infant sensory reactivity and maternal behavior over time.