Child Status and Demographic Variables as Related to Maternal Child-Rearing Attitudes

Abstract

Data from 322 infants and their mothers indicated highly consistent relationships from birth to 12 mo. for both maternal control and hostility. Both maternal control and hostility at 12 mo. were associated with lower occupational status of father, lower IQ of mother, and father's being older. Variables assessing the infant's status at birth and at 12 mo. were generally unrelated to maternal child-rearing attitudes at 12 mo. The results fail to support positions emphasizing the determination of maternal attitudes as a response to characteristics of the child, at least during the baby's first year.