1. Calming cycle theory: the role of visceral/autonomic learning in early mother and infant/child behaviour and development.
- Author
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Welch, Martha G.
- Subjects
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CHILD psychology , *BIOFEEDBACK training , *AUTONOMIC nervous system , *MOTHER-infant relationship , *DEVELOPMENTAL neurobiology , *AUTONOMIC nervous system physiology , *CHILDREN'S hospitals , *CONDITIONED response , *INFANT psychology , *PREMATURE infants , *MOTHER-child relationship , *MOTHERHOOD , *NEONATAL intensive care , *PARENTING , *PSYCHOANALYTIC interpretation , *PILOT projects , *NEONATAL intensive care units , *PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
Results from a randomised controlled trial of Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) showed significantly improved maternal behaviours and infant neurodevelopment and behaviour through 18 months, including a significantly reduced risk for autism. Preliminary results from a pilot study of FNI in preschool children found significant reduction in adverse behaviour.
Conclusion: Calming cycle theory proposes that early emotional behaviour is shaped by subcortical visceral/autonomic co-conditioning between mother and infant. Two new constructs, emotional connection and visceral/autonomic co-regulation, are defined within a functional Pavlovian conditioning framework and are theorised to be part of an evolutionarily conserved mammalian phenomenon first identified by Pavlov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2016
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