TY - JOUR PY - 2004// TI - Predicting infant maltreatment in low-income families: the interactive effects of maternal attributions and child status at birth JO - Developmental psychology A1 - Bugental, Daphne Blunt A1 - Happaney, Keith SP - 234 EP - 243 VL - 40 IS - 2 N2 - 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

LA - en SN - 0012-1649 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.40.2.234 ID - ref1 ER -