Abstract
Differential equation models have intuitively meaningful parameters that can be mapped to developmental theories emphasizing nonlinear multiple timescale processes. Following this tradition, we map theoretical propositions of infant-parent self-/co-regulation to intrinsic and extrinsic dynamics captured by fishery models wherein fish’s reproduction and farmers’ harvesting contribute to population size. Integrated and estimated within a multilevel growth modeling framework, the model captures distinct components of self-/co-regulation and changes with age. We use simulations to examine viability of the model’s application to real-world data and illustrate the model’s utility using exemplar data drawn from a multiple timescale study of infant distress and mother soothing behaviors (N = 144 dyads) as the infant received routine immunizations at ages 2 and 6 months. Results highlight the benefits of articulating theoretical propositions within a differential equations framework, and using multiple timescale study designs with natural or experimentally induced perturbations in the study of self-/co-regulation and its development.
Acknowledgments
Thanks very much to the study participants and members of the Emotional Beginnings Project.