Maternal sensitivity behavior and infant behavior in early interaction were
investigated among 57 Finnish mother-child pairs. Their interaction was vi
deo-recorded at home in free-play situation when the infants were 3 months
and 12 months of age, and evaluated using the Parent-Child Early Relational
Assessment Scale (PCERA). Maternal sensitivity behavior was mainly related
to infant's positive aspects of mood, social and play behavior, and visual
contact, both at 3 months and 12 months of age. Even though maternal sensi
tivity behavior correlated to infant behavior at 3 months and 12 months, in
fant behavior at 3 months of age contributed to later maternal sensitivity
behavior.