The relation of cumulative demographic risk to mothers' responsivity and control: Examining the role of toddler temperament

Tierney K. Popp, Tracy Spinrad, Cynthia L. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

The relations of cumulative demographic risk and children's temperament to mothers' parenting behaviors were examined when children were 18 (T1, n = 247) and 30 (T2, n = 216) months of age. Mothers, nonparental caregivers (e.g., child care providers), and observers reported on children's temperament to create a temperament composite, and mothers reported on demographic risk variables. Maternal responsivity and control were observed during 2 mother-child interactions at both time points. Cumulative demographic risk was related to low maternal responsivity concurrently and longitudinally, even after controlling for earlier temperament and responsivity, and demographic risk was positively related to maternal control at T1 and T2. Regulated temperament (i.e., low frustration and high regulation) was linked with high maternal responsivity at T1 and T2 and low maternal control at T2. Moreover, the positive relation between cumulative risk and maternal control at T1 was stronger when children were viewed as less regulated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)496-518
Number of pages23
JournalInfancy
Volume13
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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