Neglected children: mothers' report of child behavior problems and observed verbal behavior.

This laboratory investigation assessed situational differences in observed maternal verbal behavior and the report of child behavior problems between groups of low-income Caucasian mothers and their neglected, behavior problem, or nonproblem children. Relative to controls, the interactions of neglect mothers were most negative and controlling during child-directed play. Behavior-problem mothers were most negative and as controlling as neglect mothers during parent-directed play. Both groups reported more difficult child behavior than controls. The results indicate the importance of considering situational variability and mode of analysis (i.e., frequency and/or percentage) when behavior differences between groups are being determined.