Maternal expectations about normal child development in 4 cultural groups
L. M. Pachter and P. H. Dworkin
Center for Children's Health and Development, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Conn., USA. lpachter@stfranciscare.org
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether expectations about normal infant and child
development are different among mothers from 4 ethnocultural groups.
PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred fifty-five mothers (90 Puerto Rican, 59 African
American, 69 European American, 37 West Indian-Caribbean) whose children
received health care at hospital-based pediatric clinics and private
pediatricians' and family practitioners' offices. DESIGN: Verbally
administered questionnaire that included 25 questions in which mothers were
asked to give their opinions about the age at which a normal child should
begin to accomplish standard developmental milestones. ANALYSIS: Responses
(mean ages at which mothers expected children to attain the milestones)
from each group were compared after controlling for age of mother, number
of children, level of education, and socioeconomic status. RESULTS:
Significant differences among ethnic groups' responses were seen for 9 of
25 developmental milestones. Differences were mainly seen among personal
and social milestones, and Puerto Rican mothers tended to expect children
to attain these milestones at a later age than did other mothers. No
differences in responses were seen between Spanish- and English-speaking
Puerto Rican mothers. European-American mothers expected children to take
first steps and become toilet trained at a later age. CONCLUSIONS:
Developmental expectations differ among mothers from different
ethnocultural groups. Many of these differences can be explained by
underlying cultural beliefs and values and specific child-rearing
practices. Clinicians should ask about maternal expectations during child
health visits to interpret mothers' concerns and opinions about their
children's development.
