Co-constructing mother–infant distress in face-to-face interactions: Contributions of microanalysis

Abstract

We describe a range of interactions of maternal intrusion and infant avoidance, based on microanalysis of videotaped face-to-face play between mothers and 4-month infants. After a brief review of our theory of interaction, and approach to microanalysis, we describe the following interaction patterns: facial mirroring, chase and dodge, chase and dodge in a mother–infant treatment case, vocal rhythm coordination, mutually escalating over-arousal, oral teasing and the disturbance of infant self-regulation, and pulling the child into the parent's agenda.

Keywords:

• Mother–infant therapy
• video feedback
• microanalysis

Previous versions of this article have appeared in the following publications and the necessary permissions have been obtained:

Co-constructing mother–infant distress: the microsynchrony of maternal impingement and infant avoidance in the face-to-face encounter, Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 20 (3), 421–440.

Co-constructing mother–infant distress in face-to-face encounters: contributions of microanalysis, Zero to Three, 24 (5), 40–48. (Adapted with permission of Zero to Three. For more information, please visit www.zerotothree.org.)

Mother–Infant Research Informs Mother-Infant Treatment, Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 60. © Yale University Press.

Previous versions of this article have appeared in the following publications and the necessary permissions have been obtained:

Co-constructing mother–infant distress: the microsynchrony of maternal impingement and infant avoidance in the face-to-face encounter, Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 20 (3), 421–440.

Co-constructing mother–infant distress in face-to-face encounters: contributions of microanalysis, Zero to Three, 24 (5), 40–48. (Adapted with permission of Zero to Three. For more information, please visit www.zerotothree.org.)

Mother–Infant Research Informs Mother-Infant Treatment, Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 60. © Yale University Press.

Notes

Previous versions of this article have appeared in the following publications and the necessary permissions have been obtained:

Co-constructing mother–infant distress: the microsynchrony of maternal impingement and infant avoidance in the face-to-face encounter, Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 20 (3), 421–440.

Co-constructing mother–infant distress in face-to-face encounters: contributions of microanalysis, Zero to Three, 24 (5), 40–48. (Adapted with permission of Zero to Three. For more information, please visit www.zerotothree.org.)

Mother–Infant Research Informs Mother-Infant Treatment, Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 60. © Yale University Press.