Author

Acia Blank

Date of Award

2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Dr. Greg Moran

Abstract

This exploratory study examined variations in maternal sensitivity in a sample of 44 adolescent mothers over a two-year period. Although existing research suggests that sensitivity is not stable over time, little information exists that would allow for the identification of the time at which sensitivity should be measured to most accurately reflect the quality of maternal behavior. In the current study, sensitivity was measured at four points (6-, 9-, 12-, and 24-months) using the Maternal Behavior Q-Sort. An exploration of the data indicated that a great deal of variation exists in sensitivity over time. In addition to evaluating each of the time points separately, three approaches to characterizing variability were developed: (1) averaging sensitivity scores; (2) assessing the number of time points judged to be “sensitive”; and (3) categorizing mothers into groups based on patterns of sensitivity change. Approaches were evaluated and compared by relating them to variables known to be linked to sensitivity including attachment classifications, maternal representations, stress, parenting attitudes, and depression. Findings indicate that the first two approaches related to a majority of the parenting relevant variables, and thus were deemed better characterizations of sensitivity than the third approach.

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