Research
30+ years of research; 25+ countries
Over 450 peer-reviewed articles from independent research labs
Special issues in journals have been dedicated to disseminating national and international contributions (including in Attachment and Human Development, 2000, Infant Mental Health Journal, 2005, and Parenting: Science and Practice, 2009). A comprehensive review is Biringen et al. (2014) in Development Review. Three additional review articles have been published, one Clark et al (2021) in Brain Sciences, and two by Biringen et al. (2022, 2023), both in Human Development. Please go through the below articles knowing that when you click on the doi link, you can directly see the abstract. Many of the articles also have other clickable links that take you directly to the full article. Still others are open-access journals and if you type in the full title on the web, you should be able to see the article in totality. The attachments below show easily printable versions, one being by research area and the other the alphabetical list. The alphabetical reference list has only one mention of a specific work, whereas 'by areas' list often puts the same reference in multiple locations, e.g., 'preterms' as well as 'attachment', if that is relevant.
EA publications: Studies of basic science, prevention/intervention, and clinical applications
Czik, A.A., Elizarov, E., & Ziv, Y. (2025). The association between maternal social information processing and preschool children social and learning problems via maternal insightfulness and children's social information processing, Early Childhood Research Quarterly,70, 404-413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2024.11.010
De Falco, S., Emer, A., Martini, L., Rigo, P., Pruner, S., & Venuti, P. (2014). Predictors of mother-child interaction quality and child attachment security in at-risk families. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1-10. PMCID: PMC4138774 PMID: 25191287 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00898
De Falco, S., Esposito, G., Venuti, P., & Bornstein, M.H. (2010). Mothers and fathers at play with their children with down syndrome: Influence on child exploratory and symbolic activity. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23, 597-605. PMCID: PMC4138774 PMID: 25191287 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00898
De Falco, S., Esposito, G., Venuti, P., & Bornstein, M.H. (2010). Mothers and fathers at play with their children with down syndrome: Influence on child exploratory and symbolic activity. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23, 597-605. PMCID: PMC4138774 PMID: 25191287 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00898
de Falco, S., Venuti, P., Esposito, G., & Bornstein, M. H. (2009). Mother-child and father-child emotional availability in families of children with Down syndrome. Parenting: Science and Practice, 9(3-4), 198–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295190902844381
de Falco, S., Venuti, P., Esposito, G., & Bornstein, M. H. (2009). Mother-child and father-child emotional availability in families of children with Down syndrome. Parenting: Science and Practice, 9(3-4), 198–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295190902844381
Derscheid, D.J., Fogg, L.F., Julion, W., Johnson, M.E., Tucker, S., & Delaney, K.R. (2019). Emotional Availability Scale among three U.S. race/ethnic groups. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 41, 409. PMID: 29781393 DOI: 10.1177/0193945918776617
Dietzel, J., Röer, J. P., Vetterlein, S., Schölmerich, A., Schneider, D. T., & Gawehn, N. (2023). Parenting preterm children: Emotional availability at preschool age. SAGE Open, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231174169
Din, L., Pillai Riddell, R., & Gordner, S. (2009). Brief report: maternal emotional availability and infant pain-related distress. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34, 722-6. PMID: 18854328 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsn110
Dittrich, K., Fuchs, A., Bermpohl, F., Meyer, J., Führer, D., Reichl, C., ... & Möhler, E. (2018). Effects of maternal history of depression and early life maltreatment on children's health related quality of life. Journal of Affective Disorders, 225, 280-288. PMID: 28843077 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.053
Dittrich, K., Fuchs, A., Führer, D., Bermpohl, F., Kluczniok, D., Attar, C.H., Jaite, C., Zietlow, A-L., Licata, M., Reck, C., Herpertz, S.C., Brunner, R., Mohler, E., Resch, F., Winter, S.M., Lehmkuhl, U., & Bodeker, K. (2017). Observational context of mother-child interaction: Impact of a stress context on emotional availability. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 26, 1583–1591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0678-8
Dittrich, K., Fuchs, A., Führer, D., Bermpohl, F., Kluczniok, D., Attar, C.H., Jaite, C., Zietlow, A-L., Licata, M., Reck, C., Herpertz, S.C., Brunner, R., Mohler, E., Resch, F., Winter, S.M., Lehmkuhl, U., & Bodeker, K. (2017). Observational context of mother-child interaction: Impact of a stress context on emotional availability. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 26, 1583–1591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0678-8
Dolev, S., Oppenheim, D., Koren-Karie, N., & Yirmiya, N. (2009). Emotional availability in mother-child interaction: The case of children with autism spectrum disorders. Parenting: Science and Practice, 9(3-4), 183–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295190902844332
Dolev, S., Sher-Censo. E., Baransi, N., Amarab, K., & Said, M. (2016). Resolution of the child’s ASD diagnosis among Arab–Israeli mothers: Associations with maternal sensitivity and wellbeing. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 21, 73-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2015.09.004
Dombrowski, S. C., Timmer, S. G., Blacker, D. M., & Urquiza, A. J. (2005). A positive behavioural intervention for toddlers: Parent-Child Attunement Therapy. Child Abuse Review, 14, 132–151. https://doi.org/10.1002/car.888
Driscoll, J. R., & Easterbrooks, M. A. (2007). Young mothers' play with their toddlers: Individual variability as a function of psychosocial factors. Infant and Child Development, 16, 649–670. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.515
Duister, R., Lotte, V.M., Tabbers, M., Rings, E., Wijnen, R., Spoel, M., & Koning, B. Legerstee, J., & Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. (2024). Parent‐child interaction is related to emotional and behavioral problems in pediatric intestinal failure. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 78, 1241-1250. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.12189
Dungan, M., Lincoln, M., Aichele, S., Clark, E.L.M., Harvey, A., Hoyer, L., Jiao, Y., Joslin, S., Russell, F., & Biringen Z. (2023). Mother-child and father-child emotional availability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children (Basel), 10, 1044. PMCID: PMC9877570 PMID: 36468187 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12517
Easterbrooks, A. & Biringen, Z. (2000). Emotional availability. Attachment and Human Development. Vol. 2 (Edited volume).
Easterbrooks, A. & Biringen, Z. (2000). Mapping the terrain of emotional availability and attachment. Attachment and Human Development, 2, 129-135. PMID: 11707906 DOI: 10.1080/14616730050085518
Easterbrooks, A.E. & Biringen, Z. (2009). Emotional availability across contexts. Parenting: Science & Practice, Vol.9 (Edited volume)
Easterbrooks, A.E. & Biringen, Z. (2009). Introduction to the special issue: Emotional availability across contexts. Parenting: Science & Practice, 9, 179-182. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295190902844266
Easterbrooks, M. A., & Biringen, Z. (2005). The Emotional Availability Scales: Methodological refinements of the construct and clinical implications related to gender and at-risk interactions. Infant Mental Health Journal, 26, 291–294. PMID: 28682467 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.20053
Easterbrooks, M. A., Biesecker, G., & Lyons-Ruth, K. (2000). Infancy predictors of emotional availability in middle childhood: The roles of attachment security and maternal depressive symptomatology. Attachment & Human Development, 2(2), 170–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616730050085545
Easterbrooks, M.A. & Biringen, Z. (2005). The Emotional Availability Scales. Infant Mental Health Journal. Vol. 26 (Edited volume).
Easterbrooks, M.A., Chaudhuri, J.H., & Gestsdottir, S. (2005). Patterns of emotional availability among young mothers and their infants: A dyadic, contextual analysis. Infant Mental Health Journal, 26, 309-326. PMID: 28682449 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.20057
Edelstein, R. S., Alexander, K.W., Shaver, P.R., Schaaf, J.M., Quas, J.A., Lovas, G.S., & Goodman, G.S. (2004). Adult attachment style and parental responsiveness during a stressful event. Attachment and Human Development, 6, 31-52. PMID: 14982678 DOI: 10.1080/146167303100001659584
Eeles, A.L., Spittle, A.J., Dusing, S., Anderson, P.J., Brown, S., Dalziel, K., Fehring, S.M., Henty, G., Holland, A.E., Huang, L., Hunt, R.W., Kozaris, E., Lee, K., Morgan, A.T., Schembri, R., & Treyvaud, K. (2024). Protocol for a multisite randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of the Telehealth for Early Developmental Intervention in babies born very preterm (TEDI-Prem) programme on neurodevelopmental outcomes and parent well-being. BMJ Open. 14. PMID: 39806618 PMCID: PMC11667297 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086904
Eguren, A., Cyr, C., Dubois-Comtois, K., & Muela, A. (2023). Effects of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) on parents and children at risk of maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Abuse Neglect, 139.106121. PMID: 36848862 PMCID: PMC9951047 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106121
Eguren, A., Cyr, C., Dubois-Comtois, K., & Muela, A. (2023). Effects of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) on parents and children at risk of maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Abuse Neglect, 139.106121. PMID: 36848862 PMCID: PMC9951047 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106121
Ekmekci, H., Malda, M., Yagmur, S., van IJzendoorn, M.H., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M.J., & Mesman, J. The discrepancy between sensitivity beliefs and sensitive parenting behaviors of ethnic majority and ethnic minority mothers. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 48, 60-67. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000032
Ellis-Davies, K., Gelderen, L. V. R.-v., Winstanley, A., Helmerhorst, K. O. W., Rubio, B., Vecho, O., Lamb, M. E., & Bos, H. M. W. (2022). Parental sensitivity and intrusiveness in gay-, lesbian-, and heterosexual-parent families with infants conceived using artificial reproductive techniques: Do parents’ gender and caregiver role matter? Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 58, 177–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.09.002
Emde, R. N. (1980). Emotional availability: A reciprocal reward system for infants and parents with implications for prevention of psychosocial disorders. In P. M. Taylor (Ed.), Parent–infant relationships (pp. 87–115). Grune & Stratton. No doi located.
Emde, R.N. (2000). Next steps in emotional availability research. Attachment and Human Development, 2, 242-8; discussion 249-50. PMID: 11707914 DOI: 10.1080/14616730050085590
Emde, R.N. (2012). Emotional availability: Critical questions and research horizons. Development and Psychopathology, 24, 125-129. PMID: 22292999 DOI: 10.1017/S095457941100071X
Emde, R.N. & Easterbrooks, M.A. (1985). Assessing emotional availability in early development. In: Frankenburg, W.K., Emde, R.N., Sullivan, J.W. (eds) Early Identification of Children at Risk. Topics in Developmental Psychobiology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0536-9_5
Endendijk, J. J., De Bruijn, A. T., Van Bakel, H. J., Wijnen, H. A., Pop, V. J., & Van Baar, A. L. (2017). Maternal interaction quality moderates effects of prenatal maternal emotional symptoms on girls’ internalizing problems. Infant Mental Health Journal, 38, 634-644. PMID: 28842975 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21662
Endendijk, J.J., Groeneveld, M.G., Dekovic, M., van den Boomen, C. (2017). Short-term test retest reliability and continuity of emotional availability in parent–child dyads. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 43, 271–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025419830256
Endendijk, J.J., Groeneveld, M.G., Dekovic, M., van den Boomen, C. (2017). Short-term test-retest reliability and continuity of emotional availability in parent–child dyads. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 43, 271–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025419830256
Erhart, A., Watamura, S., Olsavsky, A.K., Dufford, A., Tribble, R., Yeh, T., & Kim, P. (2025). Maternal cortisol concentration is associated with reduced brain activation to infant cry and more intrusive parenting behavior. Psycho-neuroendocrinology, 171, 107207. PMID: 39413527 PMCID: PMC11724425 (available on 2026-01-01) DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107207
Eskola, E., Kataja, E.L., Hyönä, J., Hakanen, H., Nolvi, S., Häikiö, T., Pelto, J., Karlsson, H., Karlsson, L., & Korja, R. (2024). Lower maternal emotional availability is related to increased attention toward fearful faces during infancy. Infant Behavior and Development. 74, 01900. PMID: 37979474 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101900
Esposito, G., Raghunath, B.L., Azhari, A., Setoh, P., & Bornstein, M.C. (2021). Predicting mother and child emotional availability in Singaporean bilingual English and Mandarin dyads: A multilevel approach to the specificity principle. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2021.101241
Essler, S., Becher, T., Pletti, C., Gniewosz, B., & Paulus, M. (2023). Longitudinal evidence that infants develop their imitation abilities by being imitated. Current Biology, 33, 4674-4678. PMID: 37757831 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.084
Evaluation: Infancy/early childhood version, Boulder, CO: emotionalavailability.com. (used in the EA Basic course; most popular)
Evaluation: Middle Childhood/Youth version, Boulder, CO: emotionalavailability.com.
Feniger-Schaal, R. & Joels, T.(2018). Attachment quality of children with ID and its link to maternal sensitivity and structuring. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 76, 56-64. PMID: 29567485 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.03.004
Feniger-Schaal, R., Oppenheim, D., & Koren-Karie, N. (2019). Parenting children with intellectual disability: linking maternal insightfulness to sensitivity. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 63. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12614
Firk, C., Dahmen, B., Dempfle, A., Niessen, A., Baumann, C., Schwarte, R., Koslowski, J., Kelberlau, K.,Konrad, K. & Herpertz-Dahlmann, B. (2021). A mother-child intervention program for adolescent mothers: Results from a randomized controlled trial (the TeeMo Study). Development and Psychopathology, 1-14. PMID: 32646526 DOI: 10.1017/S0954579420000280
Firk, C., Dahmen, B., Dempfle, A., Niessen, A., Baumann, C., Schwarte, R., Koslowski, J., Kelberlau, K.,Konrad, K. & Herpertz-Dahlmann, B. (2021). A mother-child intervention program for adolescent mothers: Results from a randomized controlled trial (the TeeMo Study). Development and Psychopathology, 1-14. PMID: 32646526 DOI: 10.1017/S0954579420000280
Firk, C., Dahmen, B., Lehmann, C., Niessen, A., Koslowski, J., Rauch, G., Schwarte, R., Stich, K., Konrad, K, & Herpertz-Dahlmann, B. (2015). A mother-child intervention program in adolescent mothers and their children to improve maternal sensitivity, child responsiveness and child development (the TeeMo study): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 16, 230. PMID: 26012585 PMCID: PMC4446828 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-015-0747-5