Poster #65 - Infant Preferences for Infant-Directed Speech: Associations with Maternal Depression and Developmental Outcomes

• In Event: Poster Session 17

Abstract

Introduction: Adults across many cultures use a modified speech form, infant-directed speech (IDS), to communicate with infants. Adult use of IDS attracts infant attention and promotes infant learning and cognitive-linguistic development more effectively than use of adult-directed speech (Golinkoff et al., 2015). Adult use of IDS may cue an infant that the social interaction will be conducive to their development. Infants who demonstrate stronger IDS preference may thus be more active in their pursuit of cognitive stimulation in interactions, which may predict developmental outcomes. A previous study demonstrated that infants of depressed mothers preferred IDS to a lesser degree than infants of non-depressed mothers, and IDS preference predicted infant cognitive development even after controlling for maternal depression (Kaplan et al., 2018). This study sought to replicate those findings with a larger sample and to expand upon earlier findings by investigating the relationship between IDS preference and infant receptive and expressive communication development.

Method: Infants (109-464 days) viewed 1-minute video stimuli of IDS spoken by a female model, followed by a paired-comparison test of the familiarized (IDS) face versus a novel face. IDS preference ratios were computed by comparing gaze duration in response to a still, silent version of the familiarized face to the total amount of looking at both test stimuli. The Cognitive, Receptive Communication, and Expressive Communication scales of the Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler Development (III) were then administered to each infant by blind testers. Mothers also completed the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS).

Results: Results of a 2x2 ANCOVA demonstrated a significant main effect of maternal depression upon infant IDS preference after controlling for relevant demographics, replicating the findings of the earlier study, F(1, 149) = 3.86, p = .05. A stepwise regression analysis showed that IDS preference significantly predicted cognitive scores over relevant demographic variables (R2 = .057, F(2, 150) = 5.619, p < .01), and IDS preference significantly predicted receptive communication scores (R2 = .028, F(1, 149) = 5.299, p < .05). No significant associations were found with expressive communication scores, and maternal depression did not significantly predict any developmental outcomes.

Discussion: Results support the hypothesis that infants with greater IDS preference may be more actively engaged in creation of social learning opportunities, promoting cognitive and receptive communication development. The replicated finding of lower IDS preference in infants of depressed mothers may be explained by consistent violations of expectations in social interactions, leading to decreased responsiveness to ostensive cues. The reasons for the lack of associations between maternal depression and developmental outcomes, as well as between IDS preference and expressive communication development, are less clear. Ongoing work explores potential mediating influences of mother and child interactive behavior on associations between maternal depression, IDS preference, and developmental outcomes.

Authors

• Mary Taylor Goeltz, University of Colorado Denver
  Presenting Author

• Peter S Kaplan, University of Colorado Denver

• Kevin Everhart, University of Colorado Denver

• Sunny Stophaeros, University of Colorado Denver

• Reka Princi Kovacs, University of Colorado Denver

• Gabrielle Russo, University of Colorado Denver