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This study examined Family characteristics associated with the coparenting behavior of 60 parents with an 11- to 15-month-old infant (30 boys, 30 girls) during a structured triadic play session. Mothers reported on family demographics, social support, and child temperament. Both parents reported on their self-esteem and childrearing beliefs. Fathers displayed more supportive coparenting behavior than mothers. Mothers' intrusive coparenting behavior differed based on the number of children, parent's employment status, and child gender. Social support, parental self-esteem, and child temperament were significant correlates of individual coparenting behavior. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for family theory and family practice. Key Words: coparenting, family rclations, parenting infants and toddlers, parent-infant, parent-child relationships.

Although the construct of infant reactivity is thought to be a temperamental dimension, investigators have been interested in the relation between emotional reactivity and maternal behaviors. In this study, infants' emotional reactivity to frustrating stimuli and maternal sensitivity and intrusiveness were observed at 5 and 10 months of age. Cluster analysis of infants' emotional expressions revealed three patterns of expressive behavior emerged at both ages: (1) frequent anger and negative (distress) expressions, (2) intense anger expressions, and (3) frequent happy expressions. Results demonstrated that patterns of emotional reactivity at 5 and 10 months differed by maternal interactive style. In addition, patterns of emotional reactivity at 10 months of age could be predicted by differences in maternal caregiving, and conversely, 5-month infant reactivity was predictive of 10-month maternal behavior. Conclusions are made regarding ways that mothers socialize emotions and the bi-directional nature of mother-infant interactions. KEYWORDS. Infant temperament, emotional reactivity, maternal sensitivity

This study examined whether parenting stress in mothers of one-year-old twins can be predicted by their prenatal and postnatal personal well-being, marital support, social support and the presence of other children in the family. Forty mothers of twins participated in a research study conducted pre- and postnatally in their homes. The first interview was at around 27 weeks of pregnancy; the second occurred one year following the twins' birth. At both times, the mothers completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30). At the second interview, the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) was also administered. Regression analyses showed that parenting stress was significantly predicted by pre- and postnatal personal well-being and marital support. Neither social support nor the presence of other children in the family predicted parenting stress in a significant way. Keywords: Parenting stress, prenatal well-being, postnatal wellbeing, marital support, social support, twins

Objectives: To describe maternal behavior in 15 women identified as having smothered their children. Design: A descriptive study of maternal behavior and interaction with her child, using videotapes of mother and child together. These were obtained by covert video surveillance in a hospital setting. Maternal behavior was rated using an assessment schedule designed to be used with video. Results: The mothers showed a range of behaviors. Three groups emerged; one whose interaction with the child resembled normal maternal behavior, a second who interacted in a hostile way, and a third who showed a paucity of interaction. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that smothering may reflect more than one type of abnormal maternal relationship or attitude towards children. This may have implications for treatment and prognosis.

Research presented concerns the triadic relationship between mother, father, and infant, focusing on how 'kangaroo care' or an intervention that encourages mother-infant skin-to-skin contact can have a positive impact on the entire family relationship. Topics include the attachment process in premature infants.

Research studies mothers' reports of parental acceptance, symptoms of depression, infant distress, and marital aggression to determine their longitudinal impact on postpartum depression and maternal sensitivity. A model of maternal sensitivity that considers family characteristics and maternal self-esteem is presented.

Research examines the link between first-time mothers' reports of pre- and postnatal depression, marital quality, and anxiety and reports of child temperament and feelings of self-efficacy. Topics include how maternal perceptions of efficacy change over time.