Differences Between Mother-Toddler and Father-Toddler Interaction and Psychiatric Clinical Utility of Parent-Toddler Interaction Multiaxial Assessment (PTI-MAXA) Scale Anne-Bebek ve Baba-Bebek Etkileşimi Arasındaki Farklılıklar ve Ebeveyn-Bebek Etkileşimi Çok Eksenli Değerlendirme (PTI-MAXA) Ölçeğinin Psikiyatrik Klinik Kullanımı

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Karabekiroğlu K. M. Z., YÜRÜMEZ E., Aksu H., Dinçer M., Cöngöloğlu A., Şahin B., ...Daha Fazla

Turkish Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, cilt.33, sa.2, ss.129-140, 2026 (Scopus)

Özet

Objectives: The Parent-Toddler Interaction Multiaxial Assessment (PTI-MAXA) was developed to evaluate the interaction between a parent and their 1-3-year-old toddler and to score dimensions of interaction quality. In this study, we aimed to assess the differences in interaction dimensions between mother-toddler and father-toddler dyads. In addition, we aimed to examine the distinctive utility of PTI-MAXA with respect to psychiatric and neurodevelopmental morbidity in toddlers. Materials and Methods: Participants were 105 children aged 13-40 months [mean: 27.28±6.7 months; (male, n=63; female, n=42)] and their mothers aged 22-46 (mean: 31.5±4.8) years and fathers aged 26-47 (mean: 34.7±4.7) years. Various psychometric measures, including the Brief Infant and Toddler Social Emotional Assessment Scale, Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory, were employed alongside the PTI-MAXA assessment. Toddlers participated significantly more in interactions with their mothers than with their fathers, and mothers had substantially higher reciprocity scores than fathers. Results: Regardless of autism status, boys had significantly lower PTI-MAXA scores, particularly when assessed with their mothers. PTI-MAXA discriminated among clinical diagnostic groups, particularly the autism spectrum. Mothers demonstrated more participatory and reciprocal interactions with their 1-3-year-old children than did fathers. Moreover, mother-toddler and father-toddler interactions differed significantly, especially between genders. The PTI-MAXA demonstrated reliable global ratings of mother-toddler and father-toddler interactions during 40-50 minutes of videotaped play in a laboratory setting. Conclusion: These findings underscore the usefulness, validity, and reliability of PTI-MAXA for clinical applications.