Positive and Negative Deviance in Growth of Urban Slum Children in Bombay

Abstract

This study was undertaken on 500 children to examine the psychological, behavioural, socio-economic, and physiological correlates that distinguish positive deviants from median growers and negative deviants in an urban slum of Bombay. Children were monitored for six months and then placed into one of these three categories. Mothers of 50 children from each category were interviewed. Positive deviance was associated with better maternal child-care wisdom and technology in terms of motivation to weigh, groom, interact with, and actively feed the child. Mothers of positive deviants were prompt in utilizing health services and had better nutrition knowledge scores. Negative deviance was associated with short gestational age, illiteracy, early age at marriage, poor maternal decision-making power, less concern about child welfare, and inadequate social support. Although median growers came from families with more floor space, the interpregnancy interval was short, suggesting that mothers were not able to devote sufficient time to their children. The study brings out the importance of addressing maternal behavioural and psychosocial correlates in programmes aimed at improving child health and nutrition.