Table 2.

Parent-Infant Interaction Coding Scheme

Scales	Codes/Descriptions
	1	4	7
Responsiveness/sensitivity	Extremely non-responsive/sensitive: lacks genuine empathy and interest in infant. Parent does not a) initiate play; b) reinforce infant activities; c) draw infant into joint activity; d) give encouragement; e) allow infant independent activity; f) effectively extends infant activity	Moderately responsive/sensitive: moderate empathy and interest in infant. Parent periodically a) initiates play b) reinforces infant activities; c) draws infant into joint activity; d) gives encouragement; e) allows infant independent activity; f) effectively extends infant activity	Extremely responsive/sensitive: prompt, regular, genuine empathy and interest in infant. Parent consistently a) initiates play; b) reinforces infant activities; c) draws infant into joint activity; d) gives encouragement; e) allows infant independent activity; f) effectively extends infant activity
Reciprocity/synchrony	Extremely asynchronous/non-reciprocal: a) low frequency of simultaneous movement; b) low tempo similarity; c) low coordination/smoothness	Moderately synchronous/reciprocal: a) moderate frequency of simultaneous movement; b) moderate tempo similarity; c) moderate coordination/smoothness	Extremely synchronous/reciprocal: a) high frequency of simultaneous movement; b) high tempo similarity; c) high coordination/smoothness
Tempo	Extremely slow paced: a) low frequency of changing objects/activity; b) low levels of physical activation; c) low levels of verbal/vocal expression	Moderately paced: a) moderate frequency of changing objects/activity; b) moderate levels of physical activation; c) moderate levels of verbal expression	Extremely fast paced: a) high frequency of changing objects/activity; b) high levels of physical activation; c) high levels of verbal/vocal expression
Intensity	Extremely low intensity: a) very quiet verbal/vocal exchange; b) low levels of complexity; c) low parental exuberance	Moderate intensity: a) moderately audible verbal/vocal exchange; b) moderate complexity; c) moderate parental exuberance	Extremely high intensity: a) very loud verbal/vocal exchange; b) high levels of complexity; c) high parental exuberance
Emotional tone	Extremely negative emotional tone: a) frequent critical/negative comments; b) frequent expressions of distress; c) frequent negative physical displays	Neutral emotional tone: a) mostly neutral verbal exchanges; b) few, if any, expressions of affect; c) few, if any, physical displays of affect	Extremely positive emotional tone: a) frequent enthusiastic/positive comments; b) frequent expressions of positive emotion/joy/pleasure; c) frequent positive physical displays

Note. All coding scales based on 7-point Likert Scales (1–7).