History of 'Serve and Return' and a Synthesis of the Literature on its Impacts on Children's Health and Development
38 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2022
Abstract
Theoretical Principles: Building on well-established links between the impact of a child’s early relationships and their health and attachment security, neuroscientific studies illuminate an array of links between children’s brain development and their lifelong health. Parent/caregiver sensitivity and responsiveness comprise environmental influences that are particularly important for children’s health and development. To translate and mobilize this knowledge, the 'serve and return' metaphor was created to help providers and caregivers understand the importance of sensitive and responsive early caregiving.
Phenomena Addressed: We explain the concept of 'serve and return', outline historical and theoretical principles that culminated in the 'serve and return' metaphor, highlight parent and child constructs associated with 'serve and return' interactions, and present a synthesis of literature examining the association between sensitive and responsive caregiving and children’s development, attachment security, and health outcomes.
Research Linkages: Nurse-scientist pioneer, Dr. Kathryn Barnard, developed the Parent-Child Interaction Teaching and Feeding Scales, the most widely employed observational tools to measure parent-child interaction quality. We present reviews on parental sensitivity and responsivity to demonstrate the vital importance of 'serve and return' interactions on children’s health and developmental outcomes. Nurses and other healthcare professionals in public policy, community health, education, research, and pediatric roles need knowledge of the importance of 'serve and return' interactions. Through promoting interventions and initiatives that support 'serve and return' interactions, nurses and other healthcare professionals can optimize children’s health and development.
Note:
Funding Information: None.
Conflict of Interests: None.
Keywords: serve and return, parental sensitivity, parental responsivity, child health, child development
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