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Lines of research
- Early parent-infant interaction and Infant Mental Health
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The study of the development of interaction patterns related to secure/insecure attachment using sequential analysis techniques and nonlinear dynamic analyses. The aim is to detect predictors on which to design specific interventions.
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Factors in the rupture of reciprocity and continuity of the relationship that are associated with maternal insensitivity to infant signals. Relations with contextual variables are also studied. The combination of these factors affects maternal contingency and, therefore, conflicts in the dyad.
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Continued evaluation of the PCPS and the PAPMI
- Inconsistent socialization, coercive process, family interaction and child maltreatment
Determination of the variables associated with the formation and maintenance of coercive relations between parents and children and the development of child conduct disorder. Escalation and child abuse. Two levels of variables: First, the interaction patterns characterized by more aversive child behavior rate and maternal indiscriminate or not contingent behaviors to the child’s behavior and, also, a less positive reciprocity. Second, community relations: the effect of stressors on the parenting functioning, attention deficits and perceptual biases affecting parental interaction.
The study of competent parenting practices defined as the set of skills, knowledge and attitudes which supports and promotes the child's optimal development, physical and psychological (emotional skills, cognitive and social). Study of the different dimensions of competent parenting practices: cognitive (perception of self-efficacy to parenting issues, knowledge, attributes and behaviors and expectations about their children's problems), affective (satisfaction in performing the task; parental confidence), and behavioral (proper handling parenting problems and communication skills, use of interactive patterns that promote child development.
The study of interactive processes and parental practices that promote failures in the child’s socialization. This context will train the child in a coercive and aggressive interactional style that most likely s/he will apply in subsequent relationships. The most dysfunctional are the basis for the path into the early onset of antisocial and criminal behavior. Child abuse is the most extreme product of incompetent parenting practices. Victims of repeated abuse in their family, among other consequences, present deficits in their socialization and interpersonal skills. This makes it more likely for them to engage in antisocial and criminal activities.
Study of the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and psychological maladjustment in adolescence and adulthood.
Case studies that illustrate the process and the effectiveness of certain interventions. There have been case studies of families with severe relationship problems and child abuse following an intervention plan that includes, among other aspects, the results of our basic research. In this scheme of intervention, the primary focus is on eliminating the episodes of abuse or serious conflict, the first area of work is on the factors that directly precipitate these episodes. It addresses the issues related to parenting practices: at a micro-level, on patterns of interaction that precipitate conflict and, at a more molar level, on perceptions, attribution style and discipline strategies and positive parenting. Moreover, given the characteristics of these multi-problem families, it is essential to work on environmental factors helping to discriminate between different sources of stress. The basic scheme of intervention is always adapted to the characteristics of each family, known after the completion of a comprehensive multi-method assessment.
- Observational Methodology for Family Interaction
The study of effective and efficient methods to train coders
Continuous assessment of the psychometric properties of CITMI-R and SOC-R-III in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
The dissemination of the coding systems among researchers and practitioners suing new technologies and media.
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