B. Keltner et al., EFFECTS OF FAMILY INTERVENTION ON MATERNAL CHILD INTERACTION FOR MOTHERS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES, Family & community health, 17(4), 1995, pp. 35-49
Maternal developmental disability is associated with child abuse and n
eglect, inadequate home environments, and intergenerational, yet famil
y practice rarely accommodates the challenges and special needs of the
se women. The path of family dysfunction contributing most to these un
toward outcomes is maternal-child interaction. Forty women with develo
pmental disabilities were randomly assigned to two groups, one receivi
ng conventional family supports and the other a developmentally approp
riate family intervention. The family intervention, called STARS, focu
sed on improving maternal competencies, particularly in the area of ma
ternal-child interaction. At the end of 1 year, mothers who participat
ed in the family intervention demonstrated significant improvement in
maternal-child interaction.