Individual and relational contributions to parallel and joint attention in infancy

ObjectiveThis study examined the contributions of maternal bids for joint attention, relationship quality, and infant characteristics, to individual differences in infants’ parallel and joint attention.MethodFifty-two 10-month-olds and their mothers were assessed in order to investigate concurrent predictors of infant parallel attention, responding to joint attention, and initiating joint attention.ResultsParallel attention was predicted by infants’ higher mental development, low expression of negative emotionality, and maternal entertaining behaviors. Responding to joint attention was marginally predicted by total maternal bids for joint attention. Initiating joint attention was predicted by the infants’ low expression of negative emotionality, as well as marginally predicted by fewer maternal teaching behaviors.ConclusionThese results further the understanding of the factors influencing infant parallel as well as joint attention.

► Parallel attention and responding to joint attention marginally correlated.
► Responding to joint attention and initiating joint attention associated.
► Parallel and joint attention (responding and initiating) predicted by distinct maternal bids for joint attention.
► Infant negative emotionality predicted parallel and initiating joint attention.