__smbhome.uscs.susx.ac.uk_ellenaj_Desktop_SRO_after august_MindingtheChildren_Social Development_Submission_accepted.pdf (490.65 kB)
Minding the children: a longitudinal study of mental state talk, theory of mind and behavioural adjustment from age 3 to age 10
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 13:39 authored by Amanda Carr, Lance Slade, Nicola YuillNicola Yuill, Susan Sullivan, Ted RuffmanMothers’ use of mental state talk (MST) is linked to young children’s performance on false belief tests of theory of mind (ToM) and to their behaviour in social contexts. However, little is known about MST beyond the early years. This investigation is the first to examine continuity in both mother and child MST from preschool (age 3–4 years) to middle childhood (age 10) and examines the role of early maternal MST in children’s later ToM and use of MST. We examine the novel association between MST and children’s behavioural adjustment from pre-school into late childhood. Participants were mother–child dyads from a 7-year longitudinal study. Measures of MST, ToM, and language were administered at home when children were 3 and 4 years old and again at the age of 10. Also at 10, behavioural adjustment was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Mother and child MST were highly stable from preschool to later childhood. Early maternal MST accounted for unique variance in later child MST and behavioural adjustment at 10 years of age; children whose mothers used more MST, specifically references to cognitions, when they were 3 or 4 experienced fewer behavioural difficulties (externalising behaviour) when they were 10 years old.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Social DevelopmentISSN
0961-205XPublisher
WileyExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
27Page range
826-840Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-06-07First Open Access (FOA) Date
2019-08-20First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-07-02Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC