This study examines the early development of low birthweight infants and its
relationship to five categories of medical and environmental variables: (1) health;
(2) family status; (3) family context; (4) family process; and (5) parenting.
Results showed that scores on the Bayley Mental Development Index. (MDI) at 18
months were related to all five categories of variables. However, most correlations
were only moderate in strength (0.3 to 0.5) and four of the. five categories could
be represented by only a single variable within the category. Multiple regression
analyses indicated that family context and family process variables were not as
highly related to MDI as family status, medical problems, and parenting were. The
most efficient prediction of MDI was obtained using a combination of two HOME
subscales, variety of stimulation and organisation of the environment, plus the
5-minute APGAR (R = 0.59).
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