Triadic nonverbal communication in mother–infant consultations: Two contrasted cases
✍ Scribed by M.J. Hervé; H. Grandjean; J.P. Visier; M. Maury
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2009
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 227 KB
- Volume
- 30
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0163-9641
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
The aim of the present case study was to present and discuss the analysis of triadic nonverbal communication between mother, infant, and therapist in two early consultations as an indicator of the therapeutic alliance. The analysis explored nonverbal triadic interactions (body positions and facial orientations of the mother, infant, and therapist, and expressive behaviors of the infant) and triadic affective sharing (via a microanalytic interview of the therapist). The quality of the therapeutic alliance and clinical outcome for each case are described. The description of the two cases illustrates the importance of the progressive development of nonverbal "engagement" by the three people (triadic alliance) and of moments with triadic emotional sharing. The contribution of the therapist appears to be crucial, in particular via his or her body and affective engagement with the infant. The triadic alliance appears to be both an indicator of the therapeutic alliance and an element that can foster it.