A Factor Analytic Study of the Home Screening Questionnaire for Infants

Abstract

In this study some of the dimensions of the home environments of infants as measured by the Home Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) were examined. The sample consisted of 305 urban African infants between 2 and 30 months. Because the influence of the environment has been found to increase dramatically during the child's second year, two age groups were defined: 183 infants between 2 and 17 months and 122 between 18 and 30 months. Three factors were extracted for both age groups: The first factor for both groups was labelled Opportunities for Stimulation, the second factor for the older group and the third for the younger group was labelled Family (particularly father) Support for Child Development, the second factor for the younger group was labelled Mother's Social Extension and the third factor for the older group was called Encourage Independence. The factor structure found is in many respects similar to that reported for the HOME Scales. The significant correlation found between the HSQ and the mental development of infants was primarily accounted for by the factor labelled Opportunities for Stimulation, that is, the mother's ability to structure the environment for learning by providing stimulating play materials and by her involvement with the child in activities which promote development.