When Faced With Persistent Crying, Will Adults Follow the Advice to Take a Break?

Authors

• Lauren J. Duplessis
• Remington K. Asta
• Benjamin N. Witts

Files

Description

Inconsolable crying in early infancy can have detrimental effects on caregiver mental health, the caregiver-infant relationship, and infant safety. Professionals often advise caregivers to walk away and take a break. This study used n-of-1 methodology to examine how frequently undergraduate students will follow this advice when tasked with calming a simulated inconsolable infant. Results are mixed, but suggest active training prior to the baby’s arrival might yield promising outcomes

Publication Date

5-19-2026

Publisher

CentraCare

City

St. Cloud, MN

Keywords

Infant crying, Inconsolable crying, Infants, Caregiver-infant relationship, Take a break, Simulation

Disciplines

Applied Behavior Analysis | Behavioral Neurobiology | Maternal and Child Health

Comments

InnovateHER Meeting Poster - May 19, 2026

Recommended Citation

Duplessis, Lauren J.; Asta, Remington K.; and Witts, Benjamin N., "When Faced With Persistent Crying, Will Adults Follow the Advice to Take a Break?" (2026). InnovateHER Meeting 2026. 16.
https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/innovateher_meeting_2026/16