Background: Parental reflective functioning (PRF) refers to parents’ mental capacity to understand their own and their children’s behaviors in terms of envisioned mental states. As part of a broader concept of parental mentalization, PRF has been identified as one of the central predictors for sensitive parenting. However, the unique contribution of PRF to the quality of various parenting behaviors has not yet been addressed systematically. Thus, the present article provides a systematic overview of current research on the associations between PRF or its sub-dimensions and observed parenting behaviors in infancy and early childhood, while considering the influence of contextual factors. Methods: The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Systematic searches were carried out in five electronic databases. The eligibility and methodological quality of the identified studies were assessed using pre-defined criteria and a standardized checklist. Results: Sixteen studies with moderate to high quality on a total of 15 parenting behaviors were included, the majority of which examined positive parenting behaviors, while negative parenting behaviors were rarely investigated. Most of the associations indicated a positive effect of PRF on parenting behavior, with mostly small-sized effects. The strength and direction of the associations varied depending on the dimensionality of PRF, observation settings, sample types, socioeconomic factors, and cultural background. Moreover, five assessment instruments for PRF and 10 observation instruments for parenting behaviors were identified. Conclusion: In summary, PRF has shown a positive association with parenting quality. However, its complex interaction with further contextual factors emphasizes the need for differentiation of PRF dimensions and the consideration of the observation settings, assessment time points, psychosocial risks, and sample types in observational as well as intervention studies. Further high-quality studies with multivariate analyses and diverse study settings are required.

Adolescent refugees are confronted with multiple developmental, psychological, and social challenges after flight. Psychosocial interventions are therefore necessary to support adolescents during the first period after arrival in a receiving country and to avoid negative long-term consequences. Unfortunately, little is known about the types and the effects of such interventions provided during this time. This systematic review aimed to synthesize research about psychosocial interventions for refugee youth during the first year after arrival. Seven studies were identified and showed positive effects on the psychological symptoms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression, as well as on the personal development of adolescents regarding their life satisfaction, behavioral problems, hope for the future, and their social and cultural integration. Effective elements of the interventions were categorized into trauma-related elements (self-efficacy, safety, and connectedness) and elements associated with forced migration (culture, post-migration environment, and professional network). Nonetheless, the methodological quality of the included studies was heterogenous and the review showed a lack of comprehensive, long-term, and high-quality research in this field. Recommendations for future research include a greater utilization of strong research designs and translated and cross-culturally validated instruments, as well as a focus on elements specifically related to the phase of adolescence.

Psychosocial factors have been found to relate to parental reflective functioning (PRF), a parent's ability to mentalize about themselves and their child. Relations between maternal psychosocial risk factors and PRF were investigated in a community sample. A sample of mothers (n = 146) was assessed for risk factors when infants were 6 months, infant temperament was assessed using an observational measure, and PRF was assessed with the Parent Development Interview‐Revised (PDI). PRF was measured again with the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) when children were 4 years (n = 105) and 5 years (n = 92), with an additional sample of mothers (n = 48) tested at these two timepoints. Results showed that in infancy, total maternal psychosocial risk related to lower PDI‐PRF; regression analyses highlighted low socioeconomic status, unplanned pregnancy, and low maternal anxiety as independent predictors of lower PDI‐PRF. PDI‐PRF scores at 6 months did not relate to PRFQ scores, but PRFQ subscales showed stability over time from age 4–5. Results are discussed with regard to the impact of maternal psychosocial risk and infant temperament on PRF and the stability and concordance of PRF measures.

To assess maternal mental health during the first weeks after birth including birth experience, postpartum adjustment to early motherhood and the perception of newborn behaviour, and how this may b...