Chronological age, cognitions, and practices in European American mothers: a multivariate study of parenting.
The authors studied multiple parenting cognitions and practices in European American mothers (N=262) who ranged from 15 to 47 years of age. All were 1st-time parents of 20-month-old children. Some age effects were 0; others were linear or nonlinear. Nonlinear age effects determined by spline regression showed significant associations to a "knot" age (approximately 30 years), with little or no association afterward. For parenting cognitions and practices that are age-sensitive, a 2-phase model of parental development is proposed. The findings stress the importance of considering maternal chronological age as a factor in developmental study.
Bornstein
Marc H
MH
Child and Family Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892-7971, USA. Marc_H_Bornstein@nih.gov
Putnick
Diane L
DL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003071:Cognition; D003469:Culture; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D012928:Social Desirability; D014481:United States