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Maternal Behavior of Latina Adolescent Mothers and their Toddlers’ Cognitive and Language Functioning

Duran, Petra Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1289326119

Abstract Details

2010, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Previous research on the relation between maternal behavior and child outcomes has focused on samples of European American and African American adolescent mothers, and no study has examined the relation between maternal behavior and cognitive and language functioning among adolescents of Latina origin. The current study added to the literature by examining the relations between individual maternal behaviors and child cognitive and language functioning in a sample of 170 Latina adolescent mothers (of primarily Puerto Rican origin) and their toddlers. Toddlers’ mean cognitive and language composite scores were within normal limits, but there was substantial variability in scores. In addition, there was a high percent of children who scored below 1 SD of the mean, which is consistent with studies of poor children and children of minority and adolescent mothers. Consistent with the literature, a few associations between maternal behavior and child functioning emerged. Specifically, maternal sensitivity, intrusiveness, positive affect, repertoire and vocalizations related to child language scores. Only maternal vocalizations marginally related to cognitive scores. Results also showed that sensitivity-nonintrusiveness, positive affect, and repertoire continued to relate to language scores even when socio-demographic risk factors were considered. Moreover, when examining maternal behavior, results showed that children’s age and gender, maternal economic strain and child’s father educational level continued to relate to language scores. Results are discussed in light of Attachment and Socio-Cultural theories of development and socio-economic issues. Implications for intervention strategies are also discussed.
Josefina Grau (Committee Chair)
Beth Wildman (Committee Member)
Manfred van Dulmen (Committee Member)
Karla Anhalt (Committee Member)
124 p.
Psychology
MATERNAL BEHAVIOR; ADOLESCENT MOTHERS; COGNITIVE AND LANGUAGE; BAYLEY

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Duran, P. A. (2010). Maternal Behavior of Latina Adolescent Mothers and their Toddlers’ Cognitive and Language Functioning [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1289326119

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Duran, Petra. Maternal Behavior of Latina Adolescent Mothers and their Toddlers’ Cognitive and Language Functioning. 2010. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1289326119.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Duran, Petra. "Maternal Behavior of Latina Adolescent Mothers and their Toddlers’ Cognitive and Language Functioning." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1289326119

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.