In light of the dynamic systems perspective, the current study expanded existing literature by examining the moderating effect of maternal sensitivity on the quadratic association between infant negative reactivity and future executive function development. Using a longitudinal, multimethod design, we addressed executive function development among preschoolers. This study utilized data from the Family Life Project (N = 1292). Infant negative reactivity at 6 months, maternal sensitivity across first 3 years, and executive functions during preschool age were observational assessed. A path model with moderation analyses revealed a U-shaped quadratic association between infant negative reactivity and preschoolers’ inhibitory control, only when maternal sensitivity was high. The results suggest that maternal sensitivity may assist infants with both low and high, but not moderate, levels of negative reactivity towards better executive function development. Findings support the ongoing nonlinear person-environment interplay during early years of life.

鉴于动态系统的观点，当前的研究通过检验母亲敏感性对婴儿消极反应性和未来执行功能发展之间的二次关联的调节作用扩展了现有文献。我们使用纵向的多方法设计来解决学龄前儿童的执行功能发展问题。这项研究使用了来自家庭生活项目的数据（N= 1292）。对婴儿 6 个月时的阴性反应、前 3 年的母体敏感性以及学龄前儿童的执行功能进行了观察性评估。具有调节分析的路径模型揭示了婴儿消极反应性和学龄前儿童抑制控制之间的 U 形二次关联，仅当母亲敏感性高时。结果表明，母亲的敏感性可能有助于低和高但不是中等水平的负面反应性婴儿更好地发展执行功能。研究结果支持生命早期持续的非线性人与环境相互作用。