Maternal inattention and impulsivity and parenting behaviors.

This study extends previous research by examining whether maternal inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are associated with different parenting behaviors. Ninety-six mother-son dyads participated in the study, and the boys ranged between 4 and 8 years of age. Maternal inattention was uniquely and positively associated with mothers' use of inconsistent discipline and lower involvement with the child after controlling for impulsivity and the control variables of child age, maternal depression and hostility, family socioeconomic status, and child behavior problems. Maternal impulsivity was uniquely and negatively associated with mothers' use of positive reinforcement after similar controls. Possible reasons for the different patterns of associations between maternal inattention and impulsivity, and parenting and the clinical implications of the findings are discussed.