| Abstract: | In a previous study (M. D. Lewis, 1993), infants' reunion distress at 3 mo predicted lower sensorimotor abilities at 4–5.5 mo. This follow-up study extended this prediction to overall cognitive competency at 4 yrs and examined its relation to early maternal predictors of competency. Controlling for early sensorimotor differences, 3-mo distress and anger predicted lower cognitive scores at 4 yrs, with most of the predicted variance in items tapping short-term memory. Controlling for early emotional and sensorimotor differences, 3–5 mo maternal responsiveness predicted higher competency at 4 yrs, with most of the predicted variance in items tapping perceptual performance. Infant joy did not predict later competency. Early negative emotion and maternal responsiveness were independent but equally strong predictors, suggesting different causal mechanisms or different developmental paths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
