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
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
Fleck, L., Amelung, D., Fuchs, A., Mayer, B., Escher, M., Listunova, L., Schultz, J.H., Möltner, A., Schütte, C., Wittenberg, T., Schneider, I., & Herpertz, S.C. (2025). Interactional competencies in medical student admission- what makes a "good medical doctor"? Advances in Health Sciences Education: Theory & Practice, 30, 439-458. PMID: 39008161 PMCID: PMC11965163 DOI: 10.1007/s10459-024-10348-w
Flykt, M., Belt, R., Salo, S., Pajulo, M., Punamaki, R-L. (2022). Prenatal reflective functioning as a predictor of substance-using mothers' treatment outcome: Comparing results from two different RF Measures. Frontiers, 13. PMID: 35959038 PMCID: PMC9359121 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.909414
Flykt, M., Kilpeläinen, M., Kinnunen, S., Salonen, M., Peltonen, K., Isosävi, S., & Lindblom, J. E. (2025). Effectiveness and treatment moderators of parenting interventions in Finnish perinatal primary care. Infant Mental Health Journal, 46, 577-603. PMID: 40037778 PMCID: PMC12420866 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.70007
Flykt, M., Lindblom, J., Belt, R., & Punamäki, R-L (2021). The role of mother’s prenatal substance use disorder and early parenting for child school-age social cognition. Infant and Child Development, 30. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.2221
Flykt, M.S., Prince, M., Vänskä, M., Lindblom, J.1, Minkkinen, J., Tiitinen, A., Poikkeus, P. Biringen, Z., & Punamäki, R-L. (2022). Adolescent attachment to parents and peers in singletons and twins born with assisted and natural conception. Human Reproduction. PMCID: PMC8994490 PMID: 35419495 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoac012
Fonseca, V.R,. Silva, G.A., & Otta, E. (2010). Relação entre depressão pós-parto e disponibilidade emocional materna [The relationship between postpartum depression and maternal emotional availability]. Cad Saude Publica, 26, 738-46. Portuguese. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-311x2010000400016
Frigerio, A., & Nazzari, S. (2021). Antenatal maternal anxiety, maternal sensitivity, and toddlers' behavioral problems: An investigation of possible pathways. Early Human Development, 157. PMID: 33813323 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2021.105364
Frigerio, A., Porreca, A., Simonelli, A., & Nazzari, S. (2019). Emotional availability in samples of mothers at high risk for depression and with substance use disorder. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 577. PMID: 30936847 PMCID: PMC6431618 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00577
Frigerio, A., Porreca, A., Simonelli, A., & Nazzari, S. (2019). Emotional availability in samples of mothers at high risk for depression and with substance use disorder. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 577. PMID: 30936847 PMCID: PMC6431618 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00577
Fuchs, A., Biringen, Z., Mayer, B.E., Schneider, I. & Herpertz, S.C. (2021). Interactional Competencies – Medical Doctors (IC-MD): Manual for Evaluating Interactional Competencies of Medical School Applicants, unpublished manual, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Fuchs, A., Mohler, E., Resch, F., & Kaess, M. (2015). Impact of maternal history of childhood abuse on the development of mother-infant interaction during the first year of life. Child Abuse & Neglect, 48, 179-189. PMID: 26140735 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.05.023
Fuchs, A., Mohler, E., Resch, F., & Kaess, M. (2015). Impact of maternal history of childhood abuse on the development of mother-infant interaction during the first year of life. Child Abuse & Neglect, 48, 179-189. PMID: 26140735 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.05.023
Garvin, M.C., Tarullo, A.R., Van Ryzin, M., & Gunnar, M.R. (2012). Postadoption parenting and socioemotional development in postinstitutionalized children. Development & Psychopathology, 24, 35-48. PMID: 22292992 DOI: 10.1017/S0954579411000642
Geeraerts, S.B., Endendijk, J.J., Dekovic, M., Huijding, J., Deater-Deckard, K., & Mesman, J. (2020). Inhibitory control across the preschool years: Developmental changes and associations with parenting. Child Development, 92, 335-350. PMID: 32767761 PMCID: PMC7891350 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13426
Georg AK, Cierpka M, Schröder-Pfeifer P, Kress S, Taubner S. (2021). The efficacy of Brief Parent-Infant Psychotherapy for treating early regulatory disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 60(6):723-733. PMID: 32976954 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.06.016
Giannotti, M., Gemignani, M., Simonelli, A., de Falco, S., Lomoriello, A.S., Filippi, B., Perzolli, S., Venuti, P., & Rigo, P. (2025). Maternal electrophysiological response to interactions with their own child: A preliminary study in a sample of same-sex mothers. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 25, 100612, ISSN 1697-2600, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100612.
Giannotti, M., Gemignani, M., Simonelli, A., de Falco, S., Lomoriello, A.S., Filippi, B., Perzolli, S., Venuti, P., & Rigo, P. (2025). Maternal electrophysiological response to interactions with their own child: A preliminary study in a sample of same-sex mothers. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 25, 100612, ISSN 1697-2600, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100612.
Giannotti, M., Rigo, P., Carone, N., Raine, K.H. (2025). Editorial: Neurobiological, psychological, and environmental influences on parenting and child development: an inclusive and interdisciplinary perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 29, 16:1676172. PMCID: PMC12426113 PMID: 40949337 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1676172
Gibson, F.L., Ungerer, J.A., McMahon, C.A., Leslie, G.I., & Saunders, D.M. (2000). The mother-child relationship following in vitro fertilisation (IVF): infant attachment, responsivity, and maternal sensitivity. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 41, 1015-23. DOI:10.1111/1469-7610.00689
Gilissen, R., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M.J., van IJzendoorn, M.H., & van der Veer, R. (2008). Parent-child relationship, temperament, and physiological reactions to fear-inducing film clips: further evidence for differential susceptibility. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. 99, 182-95. PMID: 17681350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2007.06.004
Golombok, S., Murray, C., Jadva, V., Lycett, E., MacCallum, F., & Rust, J. (2006). Non-genetic and non-gestational parenthood: Consequences for parent-child relationships and the psychological well-being of mothers, fathers, and children at age 3. Human Reproduction, 21, 1918-1924. PMID: 16517564 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/del039
Golombok, S., Murray, C., Jadva, V., Lycett, E., MacCallum, F., & Rust, J. (2006). Non-genetic and non-gestational parenthood: Consequences for parent-child relationships and the psychological well-being of mothers, fathers, and children at age 3. Human Reproduction, 21, 1918-1924. PMID: 16517564 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/del039
Golombok, S., Murray, C., Jadva, V., Lycett, E., MacCallum, F., & Rust, J. (2006). Non-genetic and non-gestational parenthood: Consequences for parent-child relationships and the psychological well-being of mothers, fathers, and children at age 3. Human Reproduction, 21, 1918-1924. PMID: 16517564 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/del039
Gueron-Sela, N., Atzaba-Poria, N., Meiri, G., & Yerushalmi, B. (2011). Maternal worries about child underweight mediate and moderate the relationship between child feeding disorders and mother-child feeding interactions. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36, 827-36. PMID: 21278376 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsr001
Gul, H., Erol, N., Akin, D.P., Gullu, B.U., Akcakin, M., Alpas, B., & Öner, Ö. (2016). Emotional availability in early mother-child interactions for children with autism spectrum disorders, other psychiatric disorders, and developmental delay. Infant Mental Health Journal. 37, 151-9. PMID: 26891759 PMCID: PMC4829206 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21558
Hakanen, H., Flykt, M., Sinerva, E., Nolvi, S., Kataja, E-L., Pelto, J., Karlsson, H., Karlsson, L., & Korja, R. (2019). How maternal pre-and postnatal symptoms of depression and anxiety affect early mother-infant interaction? Journal of Affective Disorders, 257, 83-90. PMID: 31299408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.048
Hakanen, H., Flykt, M., Sinerva, E., Nolvi, S., Kataja, E-L., Pelto, J., Karlsson, H., Karlsson, L., & Korja, R. (2019). How maternal pre-and postnatal symptoms of depression and anxiety affect early mother-infant interaction? Journal of Affective Disorders, 257, 83-90. PMID: 31299408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.048
Hallers-Haalboom, E.T., Groeneveld, M.G., van Berkel, S.R., Endendijk, J.J., van der Pol, L.D., Linting, M., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M.J., & Mesman, J. (2017). Mothers' and fathers' sensitivity with their two children: A longitudinal study from infancy to early childhood. Developmental Psychology. 53(5), 860-872. PMID: 28459275 DOI: 10.1037/dev0000293
Hallers-Haalboom, E.T., Mesman, J., Groeneveld, M.G., Endendijk, J.J., van Berkel, S.R., van der Pol, L.D., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M.J. (2014). Mothers, fathers, sons and daughters: Parental sensitivity in families with two children. Journal of Family Psychology, 28, 138-147. PMID: 24635666 DOI: 10.1037/a0036004
Han, S. H., & Lee, Y. (2010). Emotional availability of working mothers and their 24~48 month-olds in child care centers. Journal of Korean Child Care and Education, 6, (1), 23-45. No doi located.
Han, S. H., & Lee, Y. (2010). Emotional availability of working mothers and their 24~48 month-olds in child care centers. Journal of Korean Child Care and Education, 6, (1), 23-45. No doi located.
Han, Y. M., Ryu, J. Y., & Lee, S. Y.. (2017). Aspects and relationships between infants` emotion regulation styles and infant-mother emotional availability. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 37(3), 203-226. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18023/kjece.2017.37.3.010
Harel, J., Eshel, Y., Ganor, O. & Scher, A. (2002). Antecedents of mirror self‐recognition of toddlers: Emotional availability, birth order, and gender. Infant Mental Health Journal. 23. 293 - 309. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.10016
Harkoma, S.M., Sajaniemi, N.K., Suhonen, E., & Saha, M. (2021). Impact of pedagogical intervention on early childhood professionals’ emotional availability to children with different temperament characteristics. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2021.1895264
Harnett, P.H., & Dawe, S. (2012). The contribution of mindfulness-based therapies for children and families and conceptual integration proposed. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 17, 195-208. PMID: 32847274 DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2011.00643.x
Harris, M., MacMillan, H., Andrews, K., Atkinson, L., Kimber, M., England-Mason, G., & Gonzalez, A. (2021). Maternal adverse childhood experiences, executive function and emotional availability in mother-child dyads. Child Abuse & Neglect, 111. PMID: 33307519 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104830
Harris, M., Wekerle, C., Joshi, D., & Atkinson, L.R. (2023). Maternal childhood maltreatment history and child behavior problems: Developmental patterns & mediation via maternal depressive symptoms & parenting behavior. Child Maltreatment, 28, 254-264. PMID: 35081793 PMCID: PMC10021123 DOI: 10.1177/10775595221074364
Hemke, A.D., Trevino, C.O., Romanowicz, M., Schechter, D.S. (2025). Dyadic assessment of caregivers and infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in clinical practice. Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 34, 215-234. PMID: 40044264 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2024.07.006
Høivik, M. S., Lydersen, S., Ranøyen, I., & Berg-Nielsen, T. S. (2018). Maternal personality disorder symptoms in primary health care: associations with mother–toddler interactions at one-year follow-up. BMC Psychiatry, 18, 198. PMID: 30545336 PMCID: PMC6292117 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1962-x
Holmberg, E., Kataja, E.L., Davis, E.P., Pajulo, M., Nolvi, S., Hakanen, H., Karlsson, L., Karlsson, H., & Korja, R. (2022). The connection and development of unpredictability and sensitivity in maternal care across early childhood. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 803047. PMID: 35330718 PMCID: PMC8940198 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.803047
Howes, C., & Hong, S. S. (2008). Early emotional availability: Predictive of pre-kindergarten relationships among Mexican-heritage children? Journal of Early Childhood and Infant Psychology, 4, 4–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295190902844589
Howes, C., & Obregon, N. B. (2009). Emotional availability in Mexican-heritage low-income mothers and children: Infancy through preschool. Parenting: Science and Practice, 9, 260–276. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295190902844589
Huffhines, L., Coe, J.L., Busuito, A. & Seifer, R. & Parade, S.H. (2021). Understanding links between maternal perinatal posttraumatic stress symptoms and infant socioemotional and physical health. Infant Mental Health Journal, 43, 474–492. PMID: 35513001 PMCID: PMC9177799 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21985
Hunter, H., Benoit Allen, K., Liu, R., Jaekel, J., & Bell, M.A. (2021). Examining the bidirectional relationships between maternal intrusiveness and child internalizing symptoms in a community sample: A longitudinal study from infancy to middle childhood. Depression & Anxiety, 38, 1245-1255. PMID: 34339555 PMCID: PMC9385210 DOI: 10.1002/da.23207
Hunter, H., Benoit Allen, K., Liu, R., Jaekel, J., & Bell, M.A. (2021). Examining the bidirectional relationships between maternal intrusiveness and child internalizing symptoms in a community sample: A longitudinal study from infancy to middle childhood. Depression & Anxiety, 38, 1245-1255. PMID: 34339555 PMCID: PMC9385210 DOI: 10.1002/da.23207
Imrie, S., Jadva, V., Fishel, S., & Golombok, S. (2019). Families created by egg donation: Parent-child relationship quality in infancy. Child Development, 90, 1333-1349. PMID: 30015989 PMCID: PMC6640047 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13124
Ismair, S., Dinzinger, A., Markova, G., Schropp, J., Brisch, K.H., Sperl, W., & Priewasser, B. (2025). One and one makes three-mothers' and fathers' attachment, mentalizing and parenting sensitivity. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 16, PMID: 40718554 PMCID: PMC12289603 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1582698
Isosavi, S., Diab, S. Y., Qouta, S., Kangaslampi, S., Sleed, M., Kankaanpaa, S., Puura, K., & Punamaki, R. L. (2020). Caregiving representations in war conditions: Associations with maternal trauma, mental health, and mother-infant interaction. Infant Mental Health Journal 41, 246-263. PMID: 32057130 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21841