Portuguese

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Early mother-infant relationships are of major importance for several domains of child development. At the first days of life, it is simultaneously important to assess the behavior of both baby and mother. The MABS scales have been proposed in order obtain information about maternal perceptions about the baby behavior and about mother’s confidence to take care of the baby. AIM To apply the Portuguese version of the MABS and to study their factorial structure and internal consistency. METHOD The Portuguese version of the MABS was applied in two samples of newly Portuguese mothers while staying in hospital (N = 289). Results were submitted to principal components and internal consistency analyzes. RESULTS Eight factors emerged. Several of these factors are similar to the original ones: UI, LCC, A, E, GC, and ADF. A new factor, CC, opposes to the original LCC. Another factor (IDF/LCF) results of the association of items belonging to two of the original factors (IDF and LCF). CONCLUSION It seems that dimensions of the Portuguese version of the MABS may be helpful for clinical use and for research with Portuguese mothers, especially because cultural aspects are playing a role at the new factorial structure.