Comparison of Patterns of Mother-Child Interaction

Abstract

Behavioral observations obtained from mother-child interactions were compared for three groups of mother-child pairs: (1) nonclinic, normal children; (2) noncompliant children; (3) children identified as learning disabled. The mothers of children with learning disabilities dispensed more rewards and asked more questions than the mothers in the other two groups. In addition, data from an attitude scale revealed that the mothers of the learning disabled children perceived their children to have more behavioral and adjustment problems than did the mothers of the nonclinic children, but to have fewer problems than the mothers of clinic children judged their children to have. The relationship of these data to the overall development of the child with a learning disability and their utility in parent training and counseling programs are discussed.