Short-Term Reliability and Continuity of Emotional Availability in Mother-Child Dyads Across Contexts of Observation
Marc H. Bornstein, Motti Gini, Diane L. Putnick, O. Maurice Haynes, Kathleen M. Painter, and Joan T. D. Suwalsky
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services

Emotional availability (EA) is a prominent index of socioemotional adaptation in the parent–child dyad. Is EA affected by context? In this methodological study, 34 mothers and their 2-year-olds were observed in 2 different settings (home vs. laboratory) 1 week apart. Significant cross-context reliability and continuity in EA as measured with the Emotional Availability Scales emerged. Because EA is not affected by context, cross-context generalizations about EA status in the dyad may be warranted. This work further documents the adequate psychometric properties of emotional availability.