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Alternative Approaches to Child Rearing and Their Effects on the Mother-Infant Relationship. Final Report.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Alternative Approaches to Child Rearing and Their Effects on the Mother-Infant Relationship. Final Report.
Authors: Hock, Ellen, Ohio State Univ., Columbus.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 277
Publication Date: 1976
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Child Development (DHEW), Washington, DC.
Contract Number: OCD-CB-490
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Attachment Behavior, Child Rearing, Comparative Analysis, Demography, Emotional Development, Employed Women, Home Visits, Individual Characteristics, Infants, Interviews, Longitudinal Studies, Mothers, Parent Attitudes, Parent Child Relationship, Preschool Education, Research, Role Perception, Social Development, Stranger Reactions, Tables (Data)
Abstract: This longitudinal study investigated mother-infant interaction patterns and infant social and emotional development as influenced by maternal and non-maternal infant care and by selected maternal and infant characteristics. Extensive data (including maternal attitude scores, demographic infomration, infant care observations, developmental test scores, stranger-approach responses, and separation behavior observations) were collected and analyzed for 181 mother-infant pairs at the infant's birth and 8 weeks, 3 months, 8 months, and 12-12 1/2 months later. Results showed that the employment status of the mother and the related use of non-maternal child care did not influence mother-child interaction patterns. The mother's caregiving behavior, attitudes, and role perception were found to affect infant social-emotional growth. Results of the study also showed some support for the existence in infants of a temperament-like behavioral style. Maternal attitudes reflecting beliefs in exclusive maternal caregiving and characteristics portraying infant-centered, adaptive approaches to child rearing showed considerable stability over the months of study. Interview instruments used in the study are reproduced in their entirety in the appendix. (Author/BRT)
Notes: Not available in hard copy due to print quality of original document
Journal Code: RIESEP1976
Entry Date: 1976
Accession Number: ED122943
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This longitudinal study investigated mother-infant interaction patterns and infant social and emotional development as influenced by maternal and non-maternal infant care and by selected maternal and infant characteristics. Extensive data (including maternal attitude scores, demographic infomration, infant care observations, developmental test scores, stranger-approach responses, and separation behavior observations) were collected and analyzed for 181 mother-infant pairs at the infant's birth and 8 weeks, 3 months, 8 months, and 12-12 1/2 months later. Results showed that the employment status of the mother and the related use of non-maternal child care did not influence mother-child interaction patterns. The mother's caregiving behavior, attitudes, and role perception were found to affect infant social-emotional growth. Results of the study also showed some support for the existence in infants of a temperament-like behavioral style. Maternal attitudes reflecting beliefs in exclusive maternal caregiving and characteristics portraying infant-centered, adaptive approaches to child rearing showed considerable stability over the months of study. Interview instruments used in the study are reproduced in their entirety in the appendix. (Author/BRT)