Maternal age, psychological maturity, parenting cognitions, and mother-infant interaction

Camberis, Anna-Lise, McMahon, Catherine A., Gibson, Frances L. and Boivin, Jacky ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9498-1708 2016. Maternal age, psychological maturity, parenting cognitions, and mother-infant interaction. Infancy 21 (4) , pp. 396-422. 10.1111/infa.12116

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Abstract

In the context of the trend toward delayed childbearing, the aim of this study was to examine relations among maternal age and the quality of maternal interactive behavior at 7 months assessed using sensitivity and mind-mindedness, while also considering whether age effects were attributable to psychological maturity and parenting cognitions. Participants were 150 Australian mothers (mean age 33-years) and their firstborn infants who were participating in a prospective study of parenthood. Path analysis showed maternal age had both direct and indirect associations with maternal interactive behavior. Older mothers made more mind-related comments to their infants. They were also more sensitive; however, this effect was indirect and explained by greater psychological maturity (hardiness) and a more internal locus of control with regard to parenting. Results suggest that older maternal age may confer some benefits in terms of responsive parenting in infancy.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1525-0008
Funders:	Australian Research Council
Date of Acceptance:	28 August 2015
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2023 07:19
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/94185

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