Research Article

Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative?

Volume: 6 Number: 12 January 2, 2026
TR EN

Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative?

Abstract

This study explores the use of information-salient and affect-salient content in Turkish mothers’ infant-directed speech, investigating maternal (age, education, stress, number of children) and infant-related factors (age, gender, birth status). Thirty-seven mothers recorded five minutes of interactions with their infants, aged 7 to 19 months. Affect-salient and information-salient utterances were coded from the recordings of mother-infant dyads. The findings indicate that Turkish mothers more frequently used information-salient utterances, like directives, questions and reports, emphasizing information transmission. Affect-salient expressions were used less often; within this category, the most common were play utterances, endearments, and non-lexical vocalizations. These types of expressions are thought to serve functions such as fostering connection and capturing the infant’s attention. Furthermore, it was found that as mothers’ education levels increased, the use of affect-salient expressions decreased, whereas with increasing infant age, the use of information-salient expressions increased. Overall, findings reflect Turkey's parenting style of warmth and control, balancing cognitive stimulation with emotional bonding.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Necmettin Erbakan University

Ethical Statement

This research has been conducted in compliance with the institutional regulations of Necmettin Erbakan University, as outlined in the ethical permission document dated 08.12.2023 (approval number 2023/574).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Developmental Psychology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 2, 2026

Submission Date

September 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 6 Number: 12

APA
Güneş Acar, N., Ünal, Y., Sancaktar, Y. C., Krataş, İ., Özbek, M. H., Tuncer, C., Dede, E. D., Güneş, B., Unkun, F. Ş., Akagündüz, K., & Aksar, M. (2026). Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative? Gelişim Ve Psikoloji Dergisi, 6(12), 43-55. https://doi.org/10.51503/gpd.1784855
AMA
1.Güneş Acar N, Ünal Y, Sancaktar YC, et al. Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative? JODAP. 2026;6(12):43-55. doi:10.51503/gpd.1784855
Chicago
Güneş Acar, Naziye, Yalçın Ünal, Yunus Can Sancaktar, et al. 2026. “Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative?”. Gelişim Ve Psikoloji Dergisi 6 (12): 43-55. https://doi.org/10.51503/gpd.1784855.
EndNote
Güneş Acar N, Ünal Y, Sancaktar YC, Krataş İ, Özbek MH, Tuncer C, Dede ED, Güneş B, Unkun FŞ, Akagündüz K, Aksar M (January 1, 2026) Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative? Gelişim ve Psikoloji Dergisi 6 12 43–55.
IEEE
[1]N. Güneş Acar et al., “Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative?”, JODAP, vol. 6, no. 12, pp. 43–55, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.51503/gpd.1784855.
ISNAD
Güneş Acar, Naziye - Ünal, Yalçın - Sancaktar, Yunus Can - Krataş, İlayda - Özbek, Mert Hakan - Tuncer, Cansu - Dede, Eymen Dila et al. “Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative?”. Gelişim ve Psikoloji Dergisi 6/12 (January 1, 2026): 43-55. https://doi.org/10.51503/gpd.1784855.
JAMA
1.Güneş Acar N, Ünal Y, Sancaktar YC, Krataş İ, Özbek MH, Tuncer C, Dede ED, Güneş B, Unkun FŞ, Akagündüz K, Aksar M. Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative? JODAP. 2026;6:43–55.
MLA
Güneş Acar, Naziye, et al. “Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative?”. Gelişim Ve Psikoloji Dergisi, vol. 6, no. 12, Jan. 2026, pp. 43-55, doi:10.51503/gpd.1784855.
Vancouver
1.Naziye Güneş Acar, Yalçın Ünal, Yunus Can Sancaktar, İlayda Krataş, Mert Hakan Özbek, Cansu Tuncer, Eymen Dila Dede, Berfin Güneş, Fatma Şevval Unkun, Kadir Akagündüz, Mesut Aksar. Content of Infant-Directed Speech: Are Turkish Mothers More Affective or Informative? JODAP. 2026 Jan. 1;6(12):43-55. doi:10.51503/gpd.1784855

Journal of Development and Psychology (JODAP)