Predicting Positive Affect in Infancy

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Abstract
Positive affect (PA) is integral to health and development, yet its early origins remain largely unexplored. In this pre‐registered study ( N = 78), we investigated whether infant‐specific biological and social‐behavioral factors predict PA in early development. Seventy‐eight typically developing infants and their mothers from a longitudinal cohort contributed complete data. At 5 months, infant CD38 rs3796863 genotype (linked to oxytocin release), salivary cortisol levels, and social engagement during mother‐infant free play were assessed. At 7 months, infant PA was measured using the Positive Emotionality/Surgency (PEm) factor of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire‐Revised (IBQ‐R, operationalizing PA as a broader PEm temperament construct). Analysis revealed that infant PA at 7 months was predicted by infant CD38 genotype, with AA/AC genotypes associated with higher PA; lower infant cortisol levels; and higher infant social engagement. These infant‐specific factors collectively explained 27% of the variance in infant PA. Corresponding maternal biological and behavioral measures did not predict infant PA. These findings offer novel insights into the early, multifaceted, and infant‐specific biological and behavioral foundations of PA, a crucial component of human well‐being. Summary: Infant CD38 genotype, cortisol, and social engagement at 5 months predict positive affect at 7 months Infant‐specific biological and behavioral factors account for 27% of variance in positive affect Maternal measures of the same variables did not predict infant positive affect Pre‐registered analysis validates infant‐centric model of early affective development

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