Intuitive parenting and infant behavior: Concepts, implications, and empirical validation

Abstract

On the basis of the concept of intuitive parenting, the expectation was formulated that a mother's tendency to reflect on her parenting behavior would impede intuitive responses to infant signals. Also, a high quality of parental interactional behavior was expected to be related to fewer problems of the child (e.g., less crying, fewer reported difficulties, fewer health problems). An observational study with 62 mothers and their 3-month-old children confirmed the assumption that reflection about parenting during face-to-face interactions interferes with intuitive behavior. However, in contrast to initial expectations, a high quality of parenting was related, not to fewer, but rather to more health and behavioral problems of the child. Conceptual differentiations of the initial assumptions are discussed.