Parental sensitivity is an important construct in the development of the child. It is important to know which constructs respond to parental sensitivity. This study investigated whether the child's...Show moreParental sensitivity is an important construct in the development of the child. It is important to know which constructs respond to parental sensitivity. This study investigated whether the child's temperament predicts parental sensitivity. In addition, it was investigated whether this relationship is moderated by the parent's perception of competence, consisting of reflective ability and self-confidence in parenting behavior. The sample consists of 21 parents, both mothers and fathers, with their child. The children were all between three and five years old. There were two measurement moments, two weeks apart, in which the parent performed a structured play task with the child. The parent was coded for sensitivity for both measurement moments using the Ainsworth Scale. Between the two measurement moments, the parents completed the Children's Behavior Questionnaire – very short form, Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire and Me as a Parent. The regression used to investigate whether the child's temperament predicts parental sensitivity did not show a significant result. The reflective ability of the parent appears to be a significant negative predictor of parental sensitivity. Reflectivity ability is a significant moderator between child temperament and parental sensitivity, but not in the expected direction. A high reflective capacity of a parent with a child with a difficult temperament was found to show less sensitive parenting behavior. Parental self-confidence in parenting behavior was found to be a significant negative predictor of parental sensitivity. Parental self-confidence in parenting behavior was not found to be a significant moderator in the relationship between child temperament and parental sensitivity. These results should be interpreted with caution as the sample size was very small and not very divers. Due to the large effect sizes and high explained variances, this study provides starting points for further scientific research into the relationship between these constructs.Show less
