• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.223-242
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• 2012

The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the variables of infant temperament, maternal emotional availability, infant emotional responsiveness and involvement. A total of 60 infants and their mothers participated in this study. Mother-infant dyads were observed and mothers then completed questionnaires. Data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, t-tests, Pearson's correlations and hierarchical regressions. In terms of infant emotional responsiveness, maternal sensitivity and non-hostility, these were revealed to have had an effect on infant emotional responsiveness. Moreover, infants who have mothers who had the ability to read their infants' emotional signals accurately, responded in appropriate ways and interacted with affection, showed a higher level of responsiveness. In terms of infant emotional involvement, maternal structuring had an effect on infant emotional involvement. That is, infants who have mothers willing to support their infants through appropriate guidance and facilitate their interaction were more emotionally involved during the play sessions. In conclusion, maternal sensitivity, non-hostility and structuring were all related to infant emotional responsiveness and involvement, however, the degree of the effects of these variables differed.