Citation

Bugental DB, Happaney K. Dev. Psychol. 2004; 40(2): 234-243.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA. bugental@psych.ucsb.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0012-1649.40.2.234

PMID

14979763

Abstract

Maternal attributions and child neonatal status at birth were assessed as predictors of infant maltreatment (harsh parenting and safety neglect). The population included low-income, low-education families who were primarily Hispanic. Child maltreatment during the 1st year of life (N = 73) was predicted by neonatal status (low Apgar scores, preterm status), as moderated by mothers' attributions. The highest levels of maltreatment were shown within dyads that included a mother with low perceived power and an at-risk infant. Partial support was found for maternal depressive symptoms as mediators of harsh parenting among at-risk infants. It is suggested that lack of perceived parental power constrains investment in protective relationships and fosters sensitization to potential threat.

Language: en