Maternal mind-mindedness and reflective functioning in relation to maternal sensitivity :|a cross-contextual examination

Abstract

Recent research on the infant-parent relationship emphasizes the importance of parental mentalization. In the present study, parental mentalization as a novel concept has been examined using different constructs with a sample of seventy-four infant-mother dyads in Turkey. Parental reflective functioning corresponds to parental mentalization on a representational level, whereas interactional mindmindedness refers to parental mentalization in performance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between these different constructs as well as their relationship with sensitivity. Parental reflective functioning was assessed with a questionnaire. Mind-mindedness and sensitivity were assessed via direct observations of the mother-infant interactions. Another aim of this study was to compare mind-mindedness assessed in stressful and non-stressful contexts. Thus, maternal mind-mindedness was observed in exploration, picture book, and the stressful reunion contexts in addition to traditionally used free-play. Results revealed that during the stressful episode, mothers made more mind-related comments on their infants’ mental states than they did in non-stressful situations. Furthermore, the rate of appropriate and non-attuned mind-related comments across different contexts were differentially related with sensitivity measures. In terms of the relationship between parental reflective functioning and mind-mindedness, they were related to each other only when mind-mindedness was assessed in the exploration episode. In addition, a mediator effect of mind-related comments during exploration was found in the relationship between parental pre-mentalization and sensitivity. These results were discussed with regard to different contextual needs and cultural effects.