Motor and Social Behavior in Abused and Control Children: Observations of Parent-Child Interactions

Motor and social contact behaviors of 13 matched pairs of abused and control children were observed in dyadic interaction with their mothers. Few distinctions were found between these groups. Using post hoc rationale, abused and control groups were further differentiated on the basis of the quality of mother-child interaction. Quality of interaction was inferred from three factors of Caldwell, Heider, and Kaplan's Inventory of Home Stimulation. One factor (i.e., mother's use of restriction and punishment), in interaction with abause and control classifications, revealed a number of significant comparisons on motor and social behavior. Abused children employed more covert forms of communication while control children used more overt form. Results were discussed in terms of the identification of developmentally relevant aspects of the child's environment.