AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES DA PESQUISA COMO PRINCÍPIO EDUCATIVO NA FORMAÇÃO INICIAL E INSERÇÃO PROFISSIONAL DOS(AS) FORMANDOS(AS) DE LICENCIATURA EM MATEMÁTICA

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de analisar como as experiências no contexto daformação inicial e inserção profissional de jovens formandos(as) do curso delicenciatura em matemática contribuem para a construção de identidade(s)profissional(is). A abordagem deste estudo é qualitativa e utilizou como técnica deprodução de dados o grupo focal. Os dados produzidos apresentam que a maioriados jovens considera relevante a pesquisa como princípio educativo nos processosformativos, e que também o processo de estágio contribui para construção deidentidade(s) profissional(is) qualificada no sentido de provocar a autonomiaformativa e autoria docente

Birth Order, Caesarean Section, or Daycare Attendance in Relation to Child- and Adult-Onset Type 1 Diabetes: Results from the German National Cohort

Background: Global incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is rising and nearly half occurred in adults. However, it is unclear if certain early-life childhood T1D risk factors were also associated with adult-onset T1D. This study aimed to assess associations between birth order, delivery mode or daycare attendance and type 1 diabetes (T1D) risk in a population-based cohort and whether these were similar for childhood- and adult-onset T1D (cut-off age 15); (2) Methods: Data were obtained from the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie) baseline assessment. Self-reported diabetes was classified as T1D if: diagnosis age ≤ 40 years and has been receiving insulin treatment since less than one year after diagnosis. Cox regression was applied for T1D risk analysis; (3) Results: Analyses included 101,411 participants (100 childhood- and 271 adult-onset T1D cases). Compared to “only-children”, HRs for second- or later-born individuals were 0.70 (95% CI = 0.50–0.96) and 0.65 (95% CI = 0.45–0.94), respectively, regardless of parental diabetes, migration background, birth year and perinatal factors. In further analyses, higher birth order reduced T1D risk in children and adults born in recent decades. Caesarean section and daycare attendance showed no clear associations with T1D risk; (4) Conclusions: Birth order should be considered in both children and adults’ T1D risk assessment for early detection

Segurança e eficácia de novas abordagens para o tratamento da colite ulcerativa a partir de ensaios clínicos randomizados

A colite ulcerativa é a forma mais comum de doença inflamatória intestinal na população mundial, sendo caracterizada como uma condição inflamatória idiopática presente no cólon, com maior incidência e prevalência no ocidente. O presente estudo de revisão buscou avaliar a segurança e eficácia de novas abordagens para o tratamento da colite ulcerativa, documentadas por meio de ensaios clínicos randomizados. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de revisão integrativa realizada por meio da base de dados PubMed, que levou em consideração os seguintes critérios de inclusão: testes controlados e randomizados; artigos publicados no último ano (2022-2023); que possuíam texto completo disponível e que abordassem acerca da segurança e eficácia de novas abordagens para o tratamento da colite ulcerativa. Ficou constatado que a eficácia das terapias de indução para colite ulcerativa utilizando ritlecitinibe e prepocitinibe em comparação ao uso de placebo foi confirmada, além de apresentarem um perfil de segurança aceitável em um curto período de tempo. Ainda, critérios como remissão clínica e melhora endoscópica tiveram maior alcance no grupo tratado com guselcumabe comparativamente ao grupo controle, corroborando o perfil de segurança e eficácia desse anticorpo monoclonal no tratamento de indução da colite ulcerativa moderada a grave. A tolerabilidade e eficácia a longo prazo do estrasimod como terapia de indução em pacientes com colite ulcerativa moderada a grave também foram comprovadas. Por fim, a mercaptopurina emerge como uma opção terapêutica valiosa, demonstrando superioridade em relação ao placebo ao alcançar remissão clínica, remissão histológica em um ano e melhora endoscópica

Framework and baseline examination of the German National Cohort (NAKO)

The German National Cohort (NAKO) is a multidisciplinary, population-based prospective cohort study that aims to investigate the causes of widespread diseases, identify risk factors and improve early detection and prevention of disease. Specifically, NAKO is designed to identify novel and better characterize established risk and protection factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory and infectious diseases in a random sample of the general population. Between 2014 and 2019, a total of 205,415 men and women aged 19–74 years were recruited and examined in 18 study centres in Germany. The baseline assessment included a face-to-face interview, self-administered questionnaires and a wide range of biomedical examinations. Biomaterials were collected from all participants including serum, EDTA plasma, buffy coats, RNA and erythrocytes, urine, saliva, nasal swabs and stool. In 56,971 participants, an intensified examination programme was implemented. Whole-body 3T magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 30,861 participants on dedicated scanners. NAKO collects follow-up information on incident diseases through a combination of active follow-up using self-report via written questionnaires at 2–3 year intervals and passive follow-up via record linkages. All study participants are invited for re-examinations at the study centres in 4–5 year intervals. Thereby, longitudinal information on changes in risk factor profiles and in vascular, cardiac, metabolic, neurocognitive, pulmonary and sensory function is collected. NAKO is a major resource for population-based epidemiology to identify new and tailored strategies for early detection, prediction, prevention and treatment of major diseases for the next 30 years. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10654-022-00890-5

Selbstberichtete Krebserkrankungen in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie: Erfassungsmethoden und erste Ergebnisse

BACKGROUND: In the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie), the largest prospective cohort study in Germany, data on self-reported cancer diagnoses are now available for the first half of participants. OBJECTIVES: Description of the methods to assess self-reported cancer diagnoses and type of cancer in the NAKO and presentation of first results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a computer-assisted, standardized personal interview, 101,787 participants (54,526 women, 47,261 men) were asked whether they had ever been diagnosed with cancer (malignant tumors including in situ) by a physician and how many cancer diagnoses they had. The type of cancer was classified with a list. Absolute and relative frequencies of self-reported cancer diagnoses and types of cancer were calculated and compared with cancer registry data. RESULTS: A physician-diagnosed cancer was reported by 9.4% of women and 7.0% of men. Of the participants who reported a cancer diagnosis, 88.3% reported to have had only one cancer diagnosis. In women, the most frequent malignancies were breast cancer, cervical cancer, and melanoma. In men, the most frequent malignancies were prostate cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer. Comparing the frequencies of cancer diagnoses reported by 45- to 74-year-old NAKO participants within the last five years to cancer registry-based 5‑year prevalences, most types of cancer were less frequent in the NAKO, with the exception of melanoma in men and women, cervical cancer and liver cancer in women, and bladder cancer and breast cancer in men. CONCLUSIONS: The NAKO is a rich data basis for future investigations of incident cancer

Associations of Migration, Socioeconomic Position and Social Relations With Depressive Symptoms – Analyses of the German National Cohort Baseline Data

Objectives: We analyze whether the prevalence of depressive symptoms differs among various migrant and non-migrant populations in Germany and to what extent these differences can be attributed to socioeconomic position (SEP) and social relations.Methods: The German National Cohort health study (NAKO) is a prospective multicenter cohort study (N = 204,878). Migration background (assessed based on citizenship and country of birth of both participant and parents) was used as independent variable, age, sex, Social Network Index, the availability of emotional support, SEP (relative income position and educational status) and employment status were introduced as covariates and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) as dependent variable in logistic regression models.Results: Increased odds ratios of depressive symptoms were found in all migrant subgroups compared to non-migrants and varied regarding regions of origins. Elevated odds ratios decreased when SEP and social relations were included. Attenuations varied across migrant subgroups.Conclusion: The gap in depressive symptoms can partly be attributed to SEP and social relations, with variations between migrant subgroups. The integration paradox is likely to contribute to the explanation of the results. Future studies need to consider heterogeneity among migrant subgroups whenever possible

Messung der körperlichen Fitness in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie: Methoden, Qualitätssicherung und erste deskriptive Ergebnisse

Die körperliche Fitness ist das Maß für die individuelle Fähigkeit, körperlich aktiv zu sein. Ihre wesentlichen Komponenten sind die kardiorespiratorische Fitness (Cardiorespiratory Fitness, CRF), die Muskelkraft und die Beweglichkeit. Neben der körperlichen Aktivität ist die körperliche Fitness ein wesentlicher Prädiktor für Morbidität und Mortalität. Ziel der Arbeit sind die Beschreibung der Erhebungsmethoden körperlicher Fitness in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie und die Darstellung erster deskriptiver Ergebnisse. In der NAKO-Basiserhebung wurden die maximale Handgreifkraft (Grip Strength, GS) und die CRF als Komponenten der körperlichen Fitness über ein Handdynamometer bzw. über einen Fahrradergometertest mit submaximaler Belastung erhoben. Daraus wurde die maximale Sauerstoffaufnahme (VO2max) zur Beurteilung der CRF abgeleitet. Die Ergebnisse von insgesamt 99.068 GS-Messungen und 3094 Messungen der CRF beruhen auf einem Datensatz zur Halbzeit der Basiserhebung der NAKO (Alter 20–73 Jahre, 47 % Männer). Männer zeigten im Vergleich zu Frauen höhere Werte der körperlichen Fitness (Männer: GS = 47,8 kg, VO2max = 36,4 ml·min−1 · kg−1; Frauen: GS = 29,9 kg, VO2max = 32,3 ml·min−1 · kg−1). Ungefähr ab dem 50. Lebensjahr konnte ein Rückgang der GS verzeichnet werden, wohingegen die CRF ab der Altersgruppe 20–29 Jahre bis zu den ≥60-Jährigen kontinuierlich abfiel. Die GS und die VO2max zeigten nach Korrektur für das Körpergewicht einen linear positiven Zusammenhang (Männer β = 0,21; Frauen β = 0,35). Die Analysen zeigten eine gute Übereinstimmung der Verteilung der körperlichen Fitness in der NAKO im Vergleich zu anderen bevölkerungsbasierten Studien. Zukünftige Auswertungen werden insbesondere die unabhängige Bedeutung der GS und CRF bei der Prädiktion von Morbidität und Mortalität beleuchten.Physical fitness is defined as an individual’s ability to be physically active. The main components are cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscle strength, and flexibility. Regardless of physical activity level, physical fitness is an important determinant of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the current study was to describe the physical fitness assessment methodology in the German National Cohort (NAKO) and to present initial descriptive results in a subsample of the cohort. In the NAKO, hand grip strength (GS) and CRF as physical fitness components were assessed at baseline using a hand dynamometer and a submaximal bicycle ergometer test, respectively. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated as a result of the bicycle ergometer test. The results of a total of 99,068 GS measurements and 3094 CRF measurements are based on a data set at halftime of the NAKO baseline survey (age 20–73 years, 47% men). Males showed higher values of physical fitness compared to women (males: GS = 47.8 kg, VO2max = 36.4 ml·min−1 · kg−1; females: GS = 29.9 kg, VO2max = 32.3 ml · min−1 · kg−1). GS declined from the age of 50 onwards, whereas VO2max levels decreased continuously between the age groups of 20–29 and ≥60 years. GS and VO2max showed a linear positive association after adjustment for body weight (males β = 0.21; females β = 0.35). These results indicate that the physical fitness measured in the NAKO are comparable to other population-based studies. Future analyses in this study will focus on examining the independent relations of GS and CRF with risk of morbidity and mortality

Die Basiserhebung der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie: Teilnahme an den Untersuchungsmodulen, Qualitätssicherung und Nutzung von Sekundärdaten

BACKGROUND: The German National Cohort (NAKO) is an interdisciplinary health study aimed at elucidating causes for common chronic diseases and detecting their preclinical stages. This article provides an overview of design, methods, participation in the examinations, and their quality assurance based on the midterm baseline dataset (MBD) of the recruitment. METHODS: More than 200,000 women and men aged 20–69 years derived from random samples of the German general population were recruited in 18 study centers (2014–2019). The data collection comprised physical examinations, standardized interviews and questionnaires, and the collection of biomedical samples for all participants (level 1). At least 20% of all participants received additional in-depth examinations (level 2), and 30,000 received whole-body magnet resonance imaging (MRI). Additional information will be collected through secondary data sources such as medical registries, health insurances, and pension funds. This overview is based on the MBD, which included 101,839 participants, of whom 11,371 received an MRI. RESULTS: The mean response proportion was 18%. The participation in the examinations was high with most of the modules performed by over 95%. Among MRI participants, 96% completed all 12 MRI sequences. More than 90% of the participants agreed to the use of complementary secondary and registry data. DISCUSSION: Individuals selected for the NAKO were willing to participate in all examinations despite the time-consuming program. The NAKO provides a central resource for population-based epidemiologic research and will contribute to developing innovative strategies for prevention, screening and prediction of chronic diseases.HINTERGRUND: Die NAKO Gesundheitsstudie ist ein bundesweites interdisziplinäres Forschungsvorhaben mit dem Ziel, die Ursachen für chronische Krankheiten und deren vorklinische Stadien zu untersuchen. Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über das Studiendesign, die Methoden, die Teilnahme an den Untersuchungen und ihre Qualitätssicherung zur Halbzeit der Basiserhebung. METHODEN: Für die Basiserhebung wurden mehr als 200.000 Frauen und Männer im Alter von 20–69 Jahren aus Zufallsstichproben der Allgemeinbevölkerung in 18 Studienzentren rekrutiert (2014–2019). Die Basiserhebung beinhaltet Untersuchungen, Befragungen und Biomaterialien für alle Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer (Level 1), ein erweitertes Programm für mindestens 20 % (Level 2) und eine Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT) für 30.000 Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer. Sekundär- und Registerdaten werden über Krankheitsregister, Kranken- und Rentenversicherungen erhoben. Die Auswertung bezieht die Datenbasis zur Halbzeit der Basiserhebung mit 101.839 Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmern ein, davon 11.371 mit einer MRT-Untersuchung. ERGEBNISSE: Die mittlere Responsequote zur Halbzeit betrug insgesamt 18 %. Die Teilnahme an den Untersuchungen lag überwiegend bei mehr als 95 %. Bei 96 % der MRT-Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer konnten alle 12 MRT-Sequenzen vollständig durchgeführt werden. Der Erschließung und wissenschaftlichen Nutzung ergänzender Sekundär- und Registerdaten stimmten mehr als 90 % der Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer zu. DISKUSSION: Die Bereitschaft, möglichst alle Untersuchungsmodule durchzuführen, war trotz des zeitlichen Aufwandes außerordentlich hoch. Dadurch wird die NAKO zu einer zentralen Ressource für die epidemiologische Forschung in Deutschland. Sie wird es ermöglichen, neue Strategien zur Früherkennung, Vorhersage und Primärprävention chronischer Krankheiten zu entwickeln

The interplay of family history of depression and early trauma: associations with lifetime and current depression in the German national cohort (NAKO)

INTRODUCTION: Family history of depression and childhood maltreatment are established risk factors for depression. However, how these factors are interrelated and jointly influence depression risk is not well understood. The present study investigated (i) if childhood maltreatment is associated with a family history of depression (ii) if family history and childhood maltreatment are associated with increased lifetime and current depression, and whether both factors interact beyond their main effects, and (iii) if family history affects lifetime and current depression via childhood maltreatment. METHODS: Analyses were based on a subgroup of the first 100,000 participants of the German National Cohort (NAKO), with complete information (58,703 participants, mean age = 51.2 years, 53% female). Parental family history of depression was assessed via self-report, childhood maltreatment with the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS), lifetime depression with self-reported physician's diagnosis and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and current depressive symptoms with the depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Generalized linear models were used to test main and interaction effects. Mediation was tested using causal mediation analyses. RESULTS: Higher frequencies of the childhood maltreatment measures were found in subjects reporting a positive family history of depression. Family history and childhood maltreatment were independently associated with increased depression. No statistical interactions of family history and childhood maltreatment were found for the lifetime depression measures. For current depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 sum score), an interaction was found, with stronger associations of childhood maltreatment and depression in subjects with a positive family history. Childhood maltreatment was estimated to mediate 7%–12% of the effect of family history on depression, with higher mediated proportions in subjects whose parents had a depression onset below 40 years. Abuse showed stronger associations with family history and depression, and higher mediated proportions of family history effects on depression than neglect. DISCUSSION: The present study confirms the association of childhood maltreatment and family history with depression in a large population-based cohort. While analyses provide little evidence for the joint effects of both risk factors on depression beyond their individual effects, results are consistent with family history affecting depression via childhood maltreatment to a small extent

The role of maternal responsiveness for the emergence of imitation and empathic responding in infancy

Social skills are crucial for humans for being part of a social community. They help us to interact with our environment, to communicate with others in social interactions, but also to learn further abilities from others. However, babies need to develop them first. A large body of literature has emphasized the role of the social environment in infant’s development of social skills. Theoretical accounts have highlighted that the caregiver-child relationship serves as the cradle of learning in early childhood. The current thesis focused on maternal responsiveness as key aspect of caregiver–child interaction that support infant’s development of imitation, empathy, and prosociality. The stage of infancy is particularly interesting as experience with the caregivers settle the ground for children’s later interactions in their social environment. Despite a large body of research on children’s social skills in general, yet only few studies have investigated the relationship of the occurrence of specific social skills based on the influence of maternal behaviour within the first two years of life. To this end, three studies were conducted, two focusing longitudinally on the development of imitation and empathic responding and one investigating cross-sectionally the mechanism of action between maternal sensitivity and children emotional helping. The first study investigated the influence of maternal sensitivity and maternal imitation on children’s imitation behaviour. In particular, the study examined the influence of maternal sensitivity and maternal imitation behaviour on children’s spontaneous imitation behaviour and children’s imitation abilities at 18 months. To this end, mothers and their childrens natural imitation behaviour in a playing situation as well as maternal sensitivity were assessed. Beyond that, children’s imitative skills in several tasks at 18 months were measured. Results revealed that maternal sensitivity was related to children’s spontaneous imitation as well as children’s imitation abilities. Furthermore, the relation between maternal sensitivity and children’s imitation abilities was mediated by maternal imitation behaviour at 14 months, but not at 10 months. The study supports the notion that imitation is a learned ability and is impacted by mothers’ own imitation behaviour as well as maternal sensitivity. The second study investigated the onset of empathy as well as the influence of internal and external factors. In particular, the study examined children’s reactions to others’ emotion as well as maternal sensitivity, child’s negative emotionality, and children’s self-recognition within the first two years. To this end, mothers’ behavior was observed in play interactions and children’s empathic reactions to emotional displays were assessed at 6, 10, 14, and 18 months. Intraindividual changes models revealed that more sensitive maternal behavior at 6 months predicted changes in empathic reactions from 10 to 14 months positively. Before that maternal sensitivity had no effect on the empathic reactions, which were not clearly distinguishable from reactions towards a laughing person. The study supports the notion that maternal sensitive behavior plays a significant role in young children’s development of empathy. The third study investigated the relation of maternal sensitivity and emotional helping in toddlers. In particular, the study examined whether maternal sensitivity and children’s emotional helping was linked by children’s empathy or children’s compliance. To this end, mothers’ sensitivity was observed in play interactions and children’s behaviour regarding empathy, compliance, and emotional helping were assessed in three experimental tasks at 18 months. Mediation models revealed that empathy, but not compliance mediated the link between maternal sensitivity and children’s emotional helping. The study supports the notion that maternal behavior plays a significant role in young children’s ability to help others. Taken together, the current thesis offers notable insights into the specific relations of mother-child interaction and young children’s acquisition of social skills. Our results suggest that high-qualitative interactions with caregivers are crucial for children’s imitation abilities (Study 1) and for children’s empathic abilities (Study 2). Furthermore, through acquired empathic abilities, maternal behaviours influence new social skills as prosocial behaviour (Study 3). This speaks to the importance of maternal behaviour for the acquisition of social skills. While maternal sensitivity and maternal mirroring are important factors in infant’s acquisition of imitative abilities, maternal sensitivity plays additionally a crucial role for socio-emotional abilities like empathy and emotional helping. The current work has important implications for theories of child development by suggesting associative learning to be crucial for learning social skills such as imitation and empathy in mother-child interaction. In conclusion, the current thesis contributes to a better understanding of the role of mother-child interaction in young children’s acquisition of social skills and provides implications for research on infant’s and toddler’s social development.Soziale Fähigkeiten sind entscheidend für Menschen, um Teil einer sozialen Gemeinschaft zu sein. Sie helfen uns, mit unserer Umwelt zu interagieren, mit anderen in sozialen Interaktionen zu kommunizieren, aber auch, weitere Fähigkeiten von anderen zu erlernen. Säuglinge müssen soziale Fähigkeiten jedoch erst entwickeln. In der Fachliteratur wird die Rolle des sozialen Umfelds in der Entwicklung sozialer Fähigkeiten von Säuglingen immer wieder betont. In vielen Theorien wurde hervorgehoben, dass die Beziehung zwischen Bezugsperson und Kind als Wiege des Lernens in der frühen Kindheit dient. Die vorliegende Arbeit konzentriert sich auf die mütterliche Responsivität als Schlüsselaspekt in der Interaktion zwischen Bezugsperson und Kind, welche die Entwicklung von Imitation, Empathie und Prosozialität beim Kind fördert. Die Entwicklungsphase des Säuglingsalters ist hierbei besonders interessant, da Erfahrungen mit den Betreuungspersonen die Grundlage für spätere Interaktionen der Kinder mit ihrem sozialen Umfeld bilden. Trotz zahlreicher Forschungsarbeiten zu den sozialen Fähigkeiten von Kindern im Allgemeinen haben bisher nur wenige Studien den Zusammenhang zwischen der Entstehung spezifischer sozialer Fähigkeiten und dem Einfluss des mütterlichen Verhaltens in den ersten beiden Lebensjahren untersucht. Zu diesem Zweck wurden drei Studien durchgeführt, von denen sich zwei längsschnittlich auf die Entwicklung von Imitation und empathischer Reaktion konzentrierten und eine querschnittlich den Wirkungsmechanismus zwischen mütterlicher Sensibilität und emotionalem Helfen der Kinder untersuchte. Die erste Studie untersuchte den Einfluss von mütterlicher Sensitivität und mütterlicher Nachahmung auf das Nachahmungsverhalten von Kindern. Die Studie untersuchte insbesondere den Einfluss der mütterlichen Sensibilität und des mütterlichen Imitationsverhaltens auf spontanes Imitationsverhalten und Imitationsfähigkeiten der Kinder im Alter von 18 Monaten. Zu diesem Zweck wurden das natürliche Imitationsverhalten der Mütter und ihrer Kinder in einer Spielsituation sowie die mütterliche Sensitivität erhoben. Darüber hinaus wurden die kindlichen Imitationsfähigkeiten in verschiedenen Aufgaben mit 18 Monaten gemessen. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass mütterliche Sensitivität mit der spontanen Imitation und den Imitationsfähigkeiten ihrer Kinder zusammenhing. Zudem wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen der mütterlichen Sensitivität und den Imitationsfähigkeiten der Kinder im Alter von 14 Monaten durch das mütterliche Imitationsverhalten vermittelt, nicht jedoch im Alter von 10 Monaten. Die Studie unterstützt die Annahme, dass Imitation eine erlernte Fähigkeit ist und durch das eigene Imitationsverhalten der Mutter sowie die mütterliche Sensitivität beeinflusst wird. Die zweite Studie untersuchte die Entstehung von Empathie sowie den Einfluss interner und externer Faktoren. Die Studie untersuchte insbesondere die Reaktionen der Kinder auf die Emotionen anderer im Zusammenhang mit mütterlicher Sensitivität, kindlicher negativer Emotionalität sowie kindliches Selbsterkennen in den ersten zwei Jahren. Zu diesem Zwecke wurde das Verhalten der Mütter in Spielinteraktionen beobachtet und die empathischen Reaktionen der Kinder auf emotionale Stimuli im Alter von 6, 10, 14 und 18 Monaten untersucht. Intraindividuelle Veränderungsmodelle zeigten, dass ein sensitiveres Verhalten der Mütter im Alter von sechs Monaten die Veränderungen der empathischen Reaktionen im Alter von zehn bis vierzehn Monaten positiv vorhersagte. Zuvor hatte mütterliche Sensitivität keinen Einfluss auf die empathischen Reaktionen, welche sich nicht deutlich von den Reaktionen gegenüber einer lachenden Person unterschieden. Die Studie stützt die Annahme, dass einfühlsames Verhalten der Mutter eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entwicklung der Empathie von Kleinkindern spielt. Die dritte Studie untersuchte den Zusammenhang zwischen mütterlicher Sensitivität und emotionalem Helfen bei Kleinkindern. Speziell wurde untersucht, ob mütterliche Sensitivität und kindliches emotionales Helfen durch die Empathie der Kinder oder durch die Compliance der Kinder miteinander verbunden sind. Zu diesem Zwecke wurde die mütterliche Sensitivität in Spielinteraktionen beobachtet und das Verhalten der Kinder in Bezug auf Empathie, Compliance und emotionales Helfen in drei experimentellen Aufgaben im Alter von 18 Monaten bewertet. Mediationsmodelle ergaben, dass Empathie, nicht aber Compliance, den Zusammenhang zwischen mütterlicher Sensibilität und emotionaler Hilfeleistung der Kinder vermittelte. Die Studie unterstützt die Annahme, dass mütterliches Verhalten eine wichtige Rolle bei der Fähigkeit von Kleinkindern spielt, anderen zu helfen. Insgesamt bietet die vorliegende Arbeit bemerkenswerte Einblicke in spezifische Beziehungen zwischen Mutter-Kind-Interaktion und Erwerb sozialer Fähigkeiten von Kleinkindern. Unsere Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass qualitativ hochwertige Interaktionen mit Bezugspersonen entscheidend für die Imitationsfähigkeiten (Studie 1) und empathische Fähigkeiten (Studie 2) von Kindern sind. Darüber hinaus beeinflussen mütterliche Verhaltensweisen durch erworbene empathische Fähigkeiten neue soziale Fähigkeiten wie prosoziales Verhalten (Studie 3). Dies spricht für die Bedeutung des mütterlichen Verhaltens für den Erwerb sozialer Fähigkeiten. Während mütterliche Sensitivität und mütterliches Spiegeln wichtige Faktoren für den Erwerb imitatorischer Fähigkeiten des Kindes sind, spielt mütterliche Sensitivität zusätzlich eine entscheidende Rolle für sozio-emotionale Fähigkeiten wie Empathie und emotionales Helfen. Die vorliegende Arbeit hat wichtige Auswirkungen auf Theorien zur kindlichen Entwicklung, da sie nahelegt, dass assoziatives Lernen für das Erlernen sozialer Fähigkeiten wie Imitation und Empathie in der Mutter-Kind-Interaktion entscheidend ist. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass die vorliegende Arbeit zu einem besseren Verständnis der Rolle der Mutter-Kind-Interaktion für den Erwerb sozialer Fähigkeiten bei Kleinkindern beiträgt und Auswirkungen auf die Forschung zur sozialen Entwicklung von Säuglingen und Kleinkindern hat