Associations Between Harsh-Intrusive Parenting, Infant Negative Affect, and Preschool Anxiety (2024)
Undergraduates: Amelia Harris, Nicolas Murgueitio
Faculty Advisor: Rebecca Stephens
Department: Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Psychology and Neuroscience
Early experiences increase risk for psychopathology; however, the behavioral_x000D_
mechanisms behind this association are yet to be established. Previous research has shown_x000D_
connections between harsh-intrusive parenting, negative affect, and internalizing symptoms;_x000D_
however no study has looked at these associations specifically with preschool anxiety. The_x000D_
present study tests associations between harsh-intrusive parenting, negative affect, and preschool_x000D_
anxiety in a cohort of mother-child dyads (n = 153). Observations for harsh-intrusive parenting_x000D_
and negative affect were taken at 6 months of child’s age and compared to parent report of_x000D_
anxiety symptoms at 30 months. Harsh-intrusive parenting was measured using a semi-structured_x000D_
parent child interaction task, negative affect was measured using the Still Face Paradigm, and_x000D_
preschool anxiety was measured using the Preschool Anxiety Scale. Multiple linear regression_x000D_
models show a positive association between harsh-intrusive parenting and obsessive-compulsive_x000D_
symptoms (β = .304, p < .001). Additionally, infant negative affect during the Still Face and_x000D_
Reunion Episodes were associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms (β = .313, p < .001; β =_x000D_
.186, p = .025, respectively). Finally, negative affect during the Still Face Episode was_x000D_
negatively associated with physical injury fears (β = -.196, p = .016). These findings highlight_x000D_
the importance of infant reactivity and experiences on subsequent mental health outcomes.