A comparison of mother-child interactions in children with visual impairments and typically developing children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the mother-child interactions of children with severe visual impairments (SVI), children with low vision (LV), and typically developing children (TD) with their mothers. Children with SVI (n = 20), children with LV (n = 11), and TD children (n = 20) whose ages were between 3 and 6 and their mothers were participated in the study. Mothers child interactions of the participants were video recorded and their interactions were analyzed using Maternal Behavior Rating Scale Turkish Form (MBRS) and Child Behavior Rating Scale Turkish Form (CBRS). Study findings showed that children with SVI had significantly higher scores than TD children in all subscales and items of the CBRS. The mothers of TD children had statistically significant differences in all subscales of the MBRS compared to mothers and children with LV and children with SVI. Findings of the study were discussed within the lights of the current literature conducted in the area of mother child interactions of children with SVI, children with LV, and TD children during early childhood period and suggestions for future research were provided.