Comparison of Patterns of Mother-Child Interaction

Abstract

Behavioral observations obtained from mother-child interactions were compared for three groups of mother-child pairs: (1) nonclinic, normal children; (2) noncompliant children; (3) children identified as learning disabled. The mothers of children with learning disabilities dispensed more rewards and asked more questions than the mothers in the other two groups. In addition, data from an attitude scale revealed that the mothers of the learning disabled children perceived their children to have more behavioral and adjustment problems than did the mothers of the nonclinic children, but to have fewer problems than the mothers of clinic children judged their children to have. The relationship of these data to the overall development of the child with a learning disability and their utility in parent training and counseling programs are discussed.

Maternal perceptions of child maladjustment as a function of the combined influence of child behavior and maternal depression.

“…The results of the studies in the first category demonstrate that parental perceptions of child deviance discriminate clinic and nonclinic children. Furthermore, independent observations in these studies indicate that clinic-referred children actually display more noncompliant and deviant behavior than do nonclinic children (Doleys, Cartelli, & Doster, 1976; Forehand, King, Peed, & Yoder, 1975; Griest, Forehand, Wells, & McMahon, 1980; Lobitz & Johnson, 1975; Patterson, 1982). These data suggest that parents are reasonably accurate in their perceptions.…”

Child temperament and parental perceptions of individual child adjustment: An intrafamilial analysis.

“…Studies using the first approach demonstrated that parental perceptions of child adjustment do, in fact, discriminate clinic from nonclinic children. Furthermore, independent observations demonstrated that clinic-referred children actually display more non-compliant and deviant behavior than do nonclinic children (Doleys, Cartelli, & Doster, 1976; Forehand, King, Peed, & Yoder, 1975; Griest, Forehand, Wells, & McMahon, 1980; Lobitz & Johnson, 1975; Patterson, 1982). Although these data suggest that parents are reasonably accurate in their perceptions, the results of some of these studies, as well as those of other investigations (Delfini, Bernal, & Rosen, 1976; Rickard, Forehand, Wells, Griest, & McMahon, 1981), indicate a considerable overlap in the behavior of clinic and nonclinic children.…”

Attitudes and learning disabilities: A literature review for school psychologists

“…(Bell & Vogel, 1960). It also appears that there may be differences in terms of the nature of the interactions between parents and children with learning disabilities (Doleys, Cartelli, & Doster, 1976;Freund & Elardo, 1978;Gerber, 1976;Goldman & Barclay, 1974;Wetter, 1972).…”