The freedom to mentalize: The influence of socio‐demographic indicators of empowerment on parental reflective functioning

Parental reflective functioning (PRF), a critical construct in the field of infant mental health, has been under investigated in non-WEIRD countries, where the majority of the world's infants are born. Studies from WEIRD contexts have demonstrated a relationship between socio-demographic and parental reflective functioning scores. This study used a mixed-methods concurrent exploratory research design to investigate relationships between socio-demographic factors and parental reflective functioning in a cohort of Black mothers living in Alexandra Township, South Africa. The study found relationships between parental reflective functioning and both abuse disclosure and father involvement in unexpected directions. Qualitative analysis of interview transcripts and intervention case notes highlighted the potential role of empowerment in the participants PRF scores. The findings highlight the central importance of considering the influence of power dynamics and social positioning when measuring parental reflective functioning for both research and clinical purposes.