What do mothers know? Maternal knowledge of child development

Abstract

Maternal knowledge of child development has been shown to affect how mothers raise their children and the environments they provide. This study examines maternal knowledge of child development and whether level of knowledge varies by content area. Additionally, this study explored maternal characteristics that predict knowledge levels globally and by content area. Low-income women (N = 203) in the waiting room of an obstetric clinic (n = 97) and pediatric clinic (n = 106) in a southern state were asked to complete questionnaires on typical child development and demographic characteristics. Overall, women correctly answered 65% of the criterion-referenced knowledge questions. Mothers lacked the most knowledge about infant sleep patterns and developmental ability of 6-month-old infants. Maternal education, race, number of children, and assistance with childcare were significantly related to maternal knowledge. Identifying gaps in maternal knowledge and characteristics that correspond to knowledge deficits provides insight into how best to tailor educational interventions for mothers. ©2005 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.

What Mothers Know About Child Development and Parenting in Qatar

“…On average, mothers correctly answered just over 51% of the questions. This is lower than what has been reported by some recent studies involving European American mothers, immigrant mothers, African American mothers, and low-income mothers (Bornstein et al, 2010;Bornstein & Cote, 2004;Ertem et al, 2007;Huang et al, 2005;Reich, 2005). In her study, Reich (2005) found that low-income mothers correctly answered 65% of the criterion-referenced knowledge questions.…”

“…This is lower than what has been reported by some recent studies involving European American mothers, immigrant mothers, African American mothers, and low-income mothers (Bornstein et al, 2010;Bornstein & Cote, 2004;Ertem et al, 2007;Huang et al, 2005;Reich, 2005). In her study, Reich (2005) found that low-income mothers correctly answered 65% of the criterion-referenced knowledge questions. A possible explanation for the present finding is that mothers in Qatar are offered few opportunities to gain information about developmental norms, milestones, and child development processes through professional work involving children, such as working at a daycare center, for example, or working in child health facilities that provide learning opportunities involving child development specialists.…”

Kualitas Perkawinan dan Lingkungan Pengasuhan pada Keluarga dengan Suami Istri Bekerja

“…Sedangkan jumlah anggota keluarga (β=-0,378; p=0,000) memiliki pengaruh negatif sangat signifikan terhadap kualitas lingkungan pengasuhan yang artinya peningkatan jumlah anggota keluarga menyebabkan penurunan kualitas lingkungan pengasuhan (Tabel 9). (Reich, 2005;Ribas Jr., & Bornstein, 2005;Hastuti, Fiernanti, & Guhardja, 2011;Elmanora, Muflikhati, & Alfiasari, 2012), kualitas perkawinan, dan pendapatan per kapita (Sunarti et al, 2005). Jumlah anggota keluarga berhubungan dan berpengaruh negatif sangat signifikan dengan kualitas lingkungan pengasuhan.…”

Perceived Social Norms, Expectations, and Attitudes toward Corporal Punishment among an Urban Community Sample of Parents

“…Nine items were used from a questionnaire developed by Reich. 50 Seven of these items assessed knowledge regarding certain infant safety issues (e.g., "Once a baby turns 6 months, the car seat should be front-facing," "Hard foods like popcorn or carrots are dangerous for babies," "Babies are safer if they sleep on their backs"). Two items addressed cognitive development (e.g., "Most 18-month old children are able to sit quietly at a dinner table for an hour while everyone else eats," "A one-year-old child will sometimes do things that are mean on purpose").…”