Early predictors of infant executive functioning: Contributions of maternal sensitivity and mind-mindedness across distress and non-distress contexts

Abstract

Executive functioning (EF) in early childhood plays a critical role in shaping later cognitive, socioemotional, and academic outcomes. Although the influence of caregiving on EF is well documented in preschool and older children, relatively little is known about how early relational factors contribute to the emergence of rudimentary EF abilities during the first year of life. The present study examined the contributions of maternal sensitivity and mind-mindedness to the emergence of EF in infancy. Fifty-one typically developing infants aged 9–13 months were invited to participate. Infants completed the A-not-B task to assess their EF abilities. Maternal sensitivity and appropriate mind-minded comments were assessed during a structured interaction task, which included both non-distress (free-play) and distress-eliciting episodes. Results showed that both maternal sensitivity and appropriate mind-minded comments were related to infant EF, yet only mind-mindedness in non-distress contexts emerged as a significant predictor of early EF abilities. These findings emphasize the importance of caregivers’ attunement to their infants’ mental states in fostering the emergence of EF.