Home environment and infant social behavior

Abstract

Seventy-two children (18 black males, 18 white males, 18 black females, 18 white females) and their families participated in a study to examine the the validity of the HOME Inventory in terms of its relation to early indices of social behavior. Early social behavior was assessed using the Infant Behavior Record from the Bayley Scales. A factor analysis produced five behavior dimensions: 1) positive orientation and involvement, 2) fear and reticence, 3) enthusiasm and alertness, 4) activity level, and 5) self-absorption. In general, the findings show a similar but somewhat stronger relation between home environment scores and social behavior for females than males. For infant males, positive orientation was significantly related to organization of the environment and provision of appropriate play materials. Self-absorption was moderately related to avoidance of restriction and punishment. For infant girls, both positive orientation and activity level were significantly related to four of the six HOME subscales.