Maternal Protectiveness and Child Adjustment: A Multidimensional Study

SYNOPSIS

Objective . The purposes of this study were to identify multiple dimensions of maternal protectiveness and to examine their relations with demographic factors, child characteristics, and children's psychological adjustment. Design . One hundred and seven mothers of 8- to 13-year-old children completed questionnaires on child temperament and maternal protectiveness. Teachers completed questionnaires on children's social-emotional adjustment. Results . Three domains of protectiveness were identified: (1) protectiveness around the use of household objects and activities outside of the home, (2) protectiveness involving withholding potentially upsetting information from the child, and (3) protectiveness involving the restriction of media use. In general, maternal social class, education, and employment were negatively associated with maternal protectiveness, although maternal education was positively associated with media protectiveness. Mothers of highly social children reported the lowest levels of protectiveness. Protectiveness in the media and sexual information domains was positively associated, and protectiveness regarding family secrets and world events was negatively associated, with teacher ratings of child adjustment. Conclusion . Maternal protectiveness is a multidimensional construct that shows differential relations with child adjustment.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of their collaborators on this project, Nicole Werner and Matt Bumpus; several student research assistants, including Brianne Hood, Katie Przepyszny, Daquarii Rock, Sam Senich, and Sara Winkelman; and the teachers, school administrators, students, and parents who have supported and participated in this project. We thank Lynnda Dahlquist for her helpful comments on the manuscript.