Infant temperament ratings: A function of infants, of mothers, or both?

Correlates of mother-rated infant temperament (IBQ) at three months were investigated with a sample of 56 mothers and infants using parity, sex, feeding style, NBAS scores, and one-and-three-month observed infant and mother behaviors as predictors. It was found that some aspects of rated infant temperament are associated with antecedent and concurrent mother behavior even when the effects of newborn characteristics are statistically controlled. Results are discussed in terms of the processes by which mother behavior might affect infant temperament, the possible contribution of infant constitutional and maturational characteristics, and the likely transactional nature of infant and mother effects.