The effect of early maternal sensitivity on child academic achievement in primary school
Final Report Abstract
Empirical research has shown parental sensitivity in infancy and childhood to have a positive influence on various developmental outcomes, such as cognitive abilities and academic achievement in school. Most studies investigating this influence focus on short- or mid-term effects. Longer-term studies are less common, but imply persistent effects of sensitive parental behaviour. In this study the development of a German sample was investigated from infancy to early childhood and adolescence. The impact of maternal sensitivity, as measured by the Emotional Availability Scales (EAS) on later elementary school performance was examined alongside with temperament, social-emotional abilities, language development and cognitive abilities. Data from a sample of children assessed in the lab at the ages of 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 3 years and 4 years was coded and analysed. As part of this project the intelligence of this sample’s participants was additionally measured in adolescence (13-15 years) with the Culture Fair Test (CFT 20-R) via hybrid online sessions. Elementary school grades were retrospectively assessed as well. Preliminary results show that even early maternal sensitivity is capable of predicting elementary school grades. Children whose mothers displayed more sensitive parenting at the age of 12 months achieved better grades in mathematics and German language proficiency at the end of elementary school. At the same time, effects on cognitive abilities in adolescence were not found. Data from other time points are still in the process of being analysed.
Publications
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The differential effect of infant negative affectivity on the relationship between maternal sensitivity and cognitive development in childhood. Posterbeitrag auf der 26. Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development (ISSBD). Rhodos, Griechenland
Schmidt, J. A., Aschersleben, G. & Henning, A.
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The stability of temperament during the first four years of life. Posterbeitrag auf der 7. Lancaster International Conference on Infant and Early Child Development (LCICD). Lancaster University, Großbritannien
Schmidt, J. A., Henning, A. & Aschersleben, G.
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Der Einfluss mütterlicher Feinfühligkeit im Kindesalter auf kognitive Fähigkeiten im Jugendalter. Posterbeitrag auf der 25. Tagung der Fachgruppe Entwicklungspsychologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie (EPSY), Berlin
Schmidt, J. A., Aschersleben, G. & Henning, A.
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The long-term influence of maternal sensitivity on cognitive abilities. Posterbeitrag auf der 21. European Conference on Developmental Psychology (ECDP), Turku, Finnland
Schmidt, J. A., Aschersleben, G. & Henning, A.
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Early-life temperament: A longitudinal investigation of stability and structure. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 49(3), 214-227.
Schmidt, Jonathan Arthur; Aschersleben, Gisa & Henning, Anne
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Maternal Sensitivity in Infancy and Academic Achievement in Elementary School: A Longitudinal Study. Posterbeitrag auf der International Conference of Infant Studies (ICIS). Glasgow, Schottland
Schmidt, J. A., Henning, A. & Aschersleben, G.
