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Emotional relationships between mothers and infants: Knowns, unknowns, and unknown unknowns

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2012

Marc H. Bornstein ,
Joan T. D. Suwalsky  and
Dana A. Breakstone
Marc H. Bornstein*
Affiliation:
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Joan T. D. Suwalsky
Affiliation:
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Dana A. Breakstone
Affiliation:
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Marc H. Bornstein, Child and Family Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Suite 8030, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-7971; E-mail: marc_h_bornstein@nih.gov.
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Abstract

An overview of the literature pertaining to the construct of emotional availability is presented, illustrated by a sampling of relevant studies. Methodological, statistical, and conceptual problems in the existing corpus of research are discussed, and suggestions for improving future investigations of this important construct are offered.

Type
Special Section Commentaries
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , February 2012 , pp. 113 - 123
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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