Sensitive infant caregiving among the rural Gusii in Kenya
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Date
2021-04Author
Mesman, Judi
Basweti, Nobert
Misati, Joseph
Type
ArticleLanguage
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Show full item recordAbstract
The Gusii in rural Kenya represent a particularly interesting community for the study of sensitivity, as they have previously been described as not showing sensitive care. This study focuses on the observation of sensitivity in seven families with a 7-to 23-month-old infant, with extensive naturalistic video observations (ca. 2-4 hours per infant) described qualitatively and quantitatively. Sensitivity ratings showed substantial individual variation, ranging from low (2) to high (8). Sensitivity was mostly expressed non-verbally in the form of (subtle) physical responsiveness by a variety of caregivers, and seen to a high extent during infant feeding. Insensitivity was seen when caregivers were occupied with chores, and during infant bathing. Both warmth and harshness were observed, but infrequently. Results are discussed in terms of the nature of sensitive caregiving among the Gusii, and factors that might explain within-group differences.
Citation
Mesman J, Basweti N, Misati J. Sensitive infant caregiving among the rural Gusii in Kenya. Attach Hum Dev. 2021 Apr;23(2):124-133. doi: 10.1080/14616734.2020.1828512. Epub 2020 Oct 2. PMID: 33006529.Publisher
University of Nairobi
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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