Table 2.

Definitions of Mother and Infant Behaviors Used to Code the Videotapes of Mother-Infant Interactions

Mother Behaviors Mother hold – holds or carries the infant. Mother not caregiver – someone other than the mother is the major caregiver for the infant. Mother look – looks at the infant. Vis-à-vis with mother – mother and infant have eye-to-eye contact. Mother talk – speaks words to infant. Mother positive affect – directs positive affect to infant (smile, praise, or affectionate touching). Mother gesture – gestures or makes facial expression, such as smiling or showing a toy. Mother touch – touches the infant, such as pats or caresses. Play with infant – initiates or takes part in infant’s play activity or games. Interaction – interacts or plays with the infant (hold, talk, teach, smile, touch, hit). Passive observation – looks at the infant but does not interact. Uninvolved – does not interact with or look at the infant.

Infant Behaviors Infant look – looks at the mother. Non-negative vocalization – makes one or more sounds, excluding negative sounds like fussing and crying. Infant positive effect – directs positive affect to the mother (smile or affectionate touching). Infant negative affect – expresses negative affect to the mother, such as crying or frowning. Infant gesture – gestures or makes a facial expression, such as smiling. Infant touch – touches the mother. Play with object – plays with objects (toys, clothes, stuffed animal, etc.).