Developmental Cascade and Transactional Associations Among Biological and Behavioral Indicators of Temperament and Maternal Behavior

An empirical model of temperament that assessed transactional and cascade associations between respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), negative affectivity, and the caregiving environment (i.e., maternal intrusiveness) across three time points during infancy (N=388) was examined. Negative affectivity at 5months was associated positively with maternal intrusiveness at 10months, which in turn predicted increased negative affectivity at 24months. RSA at 5months was associated positively with negative affectivity at 10months, which subsequently predicted greater RSA at 24months. Finally, greater RSA at 5months predicted greater negative affectivity at 10months, which in turn predicted greater maternal intrusiveness at 24months. Results are discussed from a biopsychosocial perspective of development.