Characteristics of maternal directiveness and responsiveness with young children with visual impairments

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between maternal responsive and directive behaviours and the development of young children with visual impairments. The participants were 17 mother-child dyads, and the children's ages ranged from 20 to 36 months of age. The amount, quality, and appropriateness of four maternal behaviours were rated during a free play session between mother and child and compared with a developmental outcome measure designed for young children with visual impairments. In general, the results showed that the quality of maternal control and appropriateness of directiveness were positively related to children's language development; whereas, the amount of these same behaviours was negatively related to language development. The findings also indicated that both the quality and amount of maternal goal-setting behaviours, and the quality of responsiveness were positively related to children's language skills, exploration of the environment and sensorimotor development. The findings are discussed in terms of maternal influence on child development.