Relations Among Maternal Racial Identity, Maternal Parenting Behavior, and Child Outcomes in Low-Income, Urban, Black Families

Abstract

This study examined maternal racial identity and its relations to maternal depression, maternal age, maternal parenting behavior, and 5-year-old children's social and cognitive outcomes. Participants included 62 African American mother-child dyads enrolled in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project. Mothers completed measures on their own racial identity and depression and on their children's social competence. Children were assessed on reading and mathematical readiness. Parent-child interactions were videotaped and coded for levels of maternal power assertion and warmth. After controlling for maternal education and program status, a series of multiple regressions were conducted. Results indicated that maternal preencounter attitudes were negatively related to maternal age and power assertion. Maternal immersion attitudes and children's cognitive achievement were negatively related. Maternal internalization attitudes were positively related to children's social competence. A trend suggested a positive relation between maternal preencounter attitudes and children's cognitive achievement. Maternal racial identity was not associated with maternal depression or maternal warmth.