Is the relation between observed and self-reported maternal sensitivity moderated by cultural beliefs and SES?

Abstract

Past research indicates inconsistencies between observed and self-reported measures of maternal sensitivity in studies of early child development. Cultural values of interdependence and SES as defined by maternal education are thought to be potential variables that could explain the said inconsistencies. However, there is limited research conducted in Asia regarding the relation between observed and self-reported maternal sensitivity amongst mother-infant dyads using the mini-Maternal Behaviour Q-Sort (MBQS), and whether cultural beliefs and SES could influence the relation. We examined the interactions of 32 mother-infant dyads through video recordings and evaluated their sensitivity levels using the mini-MBQS. Interestingly, an inverse relation between observed and self-reported maternal sensitivity was unveiled (r = .-47, p = .006). Contrary to our expectations, cultural values of interdependence and maternal education did not moderate the relation between observed and self-reported maternal sensitivity. We discuss the implications of the discrepanicies between observed and self-reported measures of maternal sensitivity and potential explanations for the lack of evidence of the effects of culture and SES on the said relation. The incongruence between observed and self-reported measures of maternal sensitivity presents itself as a starting point for future work to probe into, to investigate if it might serve as an indicator of vulnerable families in the local context.