Mother and baby interactions: Impact of maternal beliefs

Abstract

Parental ideas about child development can be guided by false beliefs and influence early interactions. Adolescent mother and baby bonding ideas and interactions are related in this study. Adolescent motherhood implies additional risks, which even include abuse. Mothers are classified as modern —active— or traditional —passive—, based on the stimulation and accompaniment they provide to their child. 145 dyads are evaluated in the first two years of life. The results indicate worse interactions among traditional mothers, based on face-to-face contact, tactile interactions and the maternal support function. The attachment pattern is also more insecure. These results make it possible to organize parental training programs aimed at the deconstruction of erroneous ideas about development and guiding healthy interactions.