Infants of adolescent mothers. Maternal characteristics and developmental status at 1 year of age
Camp, B.W.; Burgess, D.; Morgan, L.; Malpiede, D.
American Journal of Diseases of Children 138(3): 243-246
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-922X PMID: 6702768 Document Number: 227833
To determine if development at 1 yr of age relates in a predictable fashion to attitudes and personality characteristics of their adolescent mothers, Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered at 1 yr of age to 54 healthy infants of adolescent mothers. Information was obtained regarding maternal cognitive and emotional maturity, child-rearing attitudes, attitudes toward the infant and psychosocial status at 1 yr. The average Bayley Mental scale score was 113 and the average Bayley Motor Scale score was 105. There was a negative correlation between the Bayley Mental Scale score and maternal age and education. Bayley Motor Scale scores were predictable from a combination of maternal authoritarian attitudes, abuse potential and infant's birth weight. Although high authoritarian attitudes in mothers have been associated with poor cognitive development at later ages, they may represent an important strength in adolescent mothers during the 1st yr.