The effects of culture on mother-infant interaction.

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of culture on infant behavior, maternal attitudes toward child rearing, and maternal-infant interaction in 39 Korean and American mother-infant dyads at two to three days after delivery. Significant findings for the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale included more rapid habituation by the Korean infants (P = 0.01) and better state regulation by the American infants (P = 0.01). In addition, on the Cohler's maternal scale, Korean mothers were found to view their infants as more passive and dependent than American mothers did (P less than 0.00). No differences were found in maternal reciprocity (Maternal-Infant Adaptation Scale) or maternal sensitivity (Maternal-Infant Play Interaction Scale). The findings are attributed to a combination of culturally specific differences, differences in the testing situation, and maternal medication during labor.