Significance of gaze avoidance during infancy for the developmental status of children 24-54 months old

Author(s): Dinterjorg, M., Herrle, J., Yantornovillalba, P., Rose, F., Laucht, M., Schmidt, M. H.

Journal/Book: Z Entwicklungspsychol Padago. 1996; 28: Rohnsweg 25, D-37085 Gottingen, Germany. Hogrefe-Verlag GmbH & Co. 3.

Abstract: In infancy gaze avoidance is assumed to be either parr of a self regulating system or to indicate an interactional disturbance. In many regards, the further development of children with gaze avoidance is unknown. Within the framework of the prospective Mannheimer Risikokinderstudie (Mannheim Children at Risk Study), 164 infants with normal gaze behavior were compared with 30 infants with active and 20 infants with passive gaze avoidance, and followed till the age of 4.5 years. Gaze avoidance was significantly associated with severe pre- and perinatal complications, and led to serious disturbances of the mother-infant interaction. Children with passive gaze avoidance showed marked cognitive and motor developmental retardation, while children with active gaze avoidance only showed moderate cognitive delays. Within both groups an increased frequency of difficult temperament was found. Also, the further development of children with passive gaze avoidance was characterized by marked cognitive delays, while children with active gaze avoidance were more likely to show emotional and behavioral problems. Within both groups of children an autistic symptoms were overrepresented. The results of the group with passive gaze avoidance fit with the self-regulation model, and to some degree the results of the group with active gaze avoidance were in line with the assumption of an interactional disturbance.

Note: Article G Esser, Univ Potsdam, Lehrstuhl Klin Psychol, Postfach 601553, D-14415 Potsdam, Germany

Keyword(s): gaze avoidance; mother-child interaction; infancy; long-term course; TO-FACE-INTERACTION; MOTHER FACE; BEHAVIOR; RISK

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