Exploring the Relationship Between Maternal Wellbeing, Infant Development, Smartphone Use, and Mother-Infant Responsiveness

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests smartphone use has adverse effects on mother-infant relationships. However, while research suggests that maternal responsiveness is reduced when using a smartphone, little research has been undertaken with infants. This study used cross-sectional data to explore associations between infant social-emotional development, maternal mental health outcomes, smartphone use, and mother-infant responsiveness. We recruited 450 mothers with infants aged 3–9 months, in the UK. Data were collected between October 2021 and April 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Validated self-report scales measured predictor variables and an outcome variable of mother-infant responsiveness. Hierarchical linear multiple regression identified a final model (R² = 0.385, F (3,432) = 17.33, p < 0.001), with four significant predictors for mother-infant responsiveness: infant social-emotional development, birth parity, perceived social support in the form of appraisal, and likelihood of maternal smartphone use when the infant may be perceived as passive. These results suggest that within this sample, suboptimal infant social-emotional development, additional children in the family, lack of appraisal support for mothers, as well as maternal smartphone use during critical periods of parenting all demonstrate a negative association with mother-infant responsiveness. The results have implications for planning early support for mothers in the first months of their infant's life.