Mother-infant interaction and acculturation: I. Behavioural comparisons in Japanese American and South American families

Abstract

This study examined similarities and differences in mothers’ and infants’ activities and interactions among 37 Japanese American and 40 South American dyads. Few relations between maternal acculturation level or individualism/collectivism and maternal parenting or infant behaviours emerged in either group. However, group differences were found in mothers’ and infants’ behaviours indicating that culture-of-origin continues to influence parenting behaviour in acculturating groups.