DETERMINANTS OF RESPONSIVENESS IN MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE

Explored relationships between maternal responsiveness and parenting s tress, family, medical, and demographic factors in mothers of children born pre maturely at very low birth weights with intraventricular hem orrhage. Mothers of 82 2-year-olds completed self-report questionnaire s and were observed interacting with their children in free play durin g a yearly assessment. Path analysis (LISREL) revealed that lower mate rial responsiveness, measured by the Parent/Caregiver Involvement Scal e, was associated with greater demographic disadvantage and with high parent-related stress on selected subscales of the Parenting Stress In dex. Child-related parenting stress was not associated with responsive ness, and severity of the child's medical condition at birth was weakl y related. Results are discussed in the context of this unique populat ion, and relevant research and measurement issues.