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04-01-2025 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Prenatal Maternal Mindfulness as a Predictor of Infant Emerging Effortful Control and Negative Affect

Auteurs: Ilana Haliwa, Tessa Benefield, Özlü Aran, Ella-Marie P. Hennessey, Benjamin L. Hankin, Elysia Poggi Davis, Jenalee R. Doom

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 1/2025

Abstract

Objectives

The present study tested the unique contributions of prenatal maternal mindfulness to infant emerging effortful control and negative affect at 6 months postnatal. Exploratory analyses evaluated the role of individual facets of mindfulness in predicting infant outcomes.

Method

The sample consisted of 178 individuals. Participants completed self-report measures of mindfulness during pregnancy (M = 16.91 gestational weeks; SD = 4.37) and postnatally (M = 6.54 months after birth; SD = 2.12). At 6 months postpartum, participants also reported on their infants' (55% female) emerging effortful control and negative affect using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire.

Results

Greater prenatal maternal mindfulness was associated with higher infant emerging effortful control (β = 0.40, p < 0.001) and lower negative affect (β = -0.16, p = 0.04). These relations remained statistically significant when controlling for postnatal mindfulness. The prenatal describing (β = 0.21, p = 0.02) and nonreacting (β = 0.28, p = 0.01) subscales of mindfulness were statistically significant predictors of emerging effortful control after controlling for postnatal mindfulness subscales. None of the subscales were significant predictors of infant negative affect after controlling for postnatal mindfulness.

Conclusions

Maternal prenatal mindfulness predicted both infant emerging effortful control and negative affect. Individual facets of prenatal mindfulness demonstrated unique patterns of association with infant emerging effortful control, suggesting that aspects of mindfulness may be promotive factors to consider in future interventions. These findings highlight that mindfulness during pregnancy is linked to improved infant self-regulation and reduced emotional reactivity.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.

vorige artikel Present Mind in the Ageing Brain: Neural Associations of Dispositional Mindfulness in Cognitive Decline

volgende artikel The Role of Attention Control in a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Rumination: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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Titel: Prenatal Maternal Mindfulness as a Predictor of Infant Emerging Effortful Control and Negative Affect
Auteurs: Ilana Haliwa
Tessa Benefield
Özlü Aran
Ella-Marie P. Hennessey
Benjamin L. Hankin
Elysia Poggi Davis
Jenalee R. Doom
Publicatiedatum: 04-01-2025
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 1/2025
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02504-5

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Prenatal Maternal Mindfulness as a Predictor of Infant Emerging Effortful Control and Negative Affect

Abstract

Objectives

Method

Results

Conclusions

Preregistration

Andere artikelen Uitgave 1/2025

Defining Mindfulness: A Review of Existing Definitions and Suggested Refinements

Confirmation and Validation of a Chinese version of the Equanimity Scale

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Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Welkom bij THIM Hogeschool voor Fysiotherapie & Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

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Abstract

Objectives

Method

Results

Conclusions

Preregistration

Log in om toegang te krijgen

Defining Mindfulness: A Review of Existing Definitions and Suggested Refinements

Confirmation and Validation of a Chinese version of the Equanimity Scale

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