Multimodal Assessment of the Mother–child Relationship in a Substance‐exposed Sample

Divergent Associations With the Emotional Availability Scales

Bibliographic Data

ID11277490
AuthorsStacey D Espinet (0000-0002-3427-1736, Mothercraft/Breaking the Cycle and York University, corresponding author), Jessica Jeihyun Jeong (York University), Mary Motz (Mothercraft/Breaking the Cycle and York University), Nicole Racine (0000-0002-6371-6570, York University), Danielle Major (McMaster University), Debra Pepler (0000-0002-2505-289X, York University)
Year2013
Volume34
Issue6
Pages496-507
Publication date2013-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInfant Mental Health Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-9641 • E-ISSN: 1097-0355
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/imhj.21409
OpenAlexW1536378139
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited54

The aim of this study was to compare ratings of mother – child relationship quality from diverse assessment perspectives. The quality of the mother – child relationship was rated in a sample of 34 mothers with substance‐use difficulties and their children using the Emotional Availability Scales (EAS; Z. Biringen, ), based on videotaped observation of a 20‐min, free‐play session. These ratings were compared to clinician ratings on the Parent–Infant Ratings Global Assessment Scale (PIR‐GAS; ZERO TO THREE, 2005) and maternal ratings on the Parenting Stress Index‐Short Form (PSI‐SF; R.R. Abidin, ). Ratings on the Emotional Attachment and Emotional Availability (EA2) Clinical Screener (EA2 Clinical Screener) and adult dimensions of the EAS (particularly maternal sensitivity), but not child dimensions, were associated with clinician ratings on the PIR‐GAS. In contrast, child dimensions of the EAS, but not adult dimensions, were associated with maternal ratings on the Child scales of the PSI‐SF (particularly parent – child difficult interactions). While clinician ratings seem to be more sensitive to maternal contributions to the relationship, maternal ratings seem to emphasize child behaviors. Results highlight the importance of multimethod assessment in fully capturing the transactional nature of the mother – child relationship in high‐risk samples. The validity of the EA2 Clinical Screener as an index of the quality of mother – child relationship in a high‐risk, substance‐exposed sample is also supported

Developmental psychology · Substance use · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Psychology

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