Mother–Child and Father–Child Emotional Availability in Families of Children with Down Syndrome

SYNOPSIS

Objective. Emotional availability (EA) is a relationship construct that can be considered a global index of the emotional quality of parent–child interaction. The present study aimed to address several specific questions about mother–child and father–child emotional availability in families with a child with Down's syndrome (DS). Design . Free-play interactions of 22 children with DS (M chronological age = 35.32 mo) We coded separately with each parent using the Emotional Availability (EA) Scales (Biringen, Robinson, & Emde, 1998). Results . Overall, mothers and fathers and their children with DS were equally emotionally available to one another. Bivariate correlations between maternal and paternal EA ratings of Sensitivity, Structuring, and Nonhostility showed significant positive associations. Moreover, bivariate correlations also highlighted the stability of child Responsiveness and Involvement across interactions with the two parents. There were no differences between mothers and fathers in mean levels of Sensitivity, Structuring, Nonintrusiveness, or Nonhostility, nor were there differences in mean levels of child Responsiveness and Involvement between mother–child and father–child interactions. Conclusions . We discuss the clinical utility of the EA Scales for assessing relationships between parents and their children with DS.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Z. Giusti and D. Putnick for assistance. This research was partially supported by Intramural Research Program of the NIH, NICHD.