Maternal perceptions of infant behavior as a function of trait anxiety

Abstract

The relationship between maternal trait anxiety and perceptions of infant behaviors was examined in 94 low‐income mothers. Subjects were assessed at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy and six weeks post partum. Pearson product moment correlations revealed a significant positive relationship between maternal trait anxiety and perceptions of infant behaviors. Not only was high trait anxiety associated with negative infant perceptions in the postpartum period (and vice versa), it was also associated with anticipated negative infant behaviors in the prenatal period. Further, significant cross‐legged panel correlations indicated that maternal anxiety is one of the many factors that contribute to maternal perceptions of their infants. Differences were found between mothers in nuclear as opposed to multiple caregiver family constellations. Implications of these findings are discussed.