INTERACTIONAL STYLE AND SUBJECTIVE STRESS IN MOTHERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN WITH FRAGILE X SYNDROME, DOWN’S SYNDROME OR TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

This study examined the interactional style of mothers of boys with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and mothers of children with Down’s syndrome (DS) or developmentally typical children (N=33 mother-child-dyads) in different situations (matching task; playing with toys; request). The average developmental age of the children was 29 months. Mothers completed a self-report scale for maternal stress. Directive and restrictive parenting behaviors were used more frequently by mothers of children with FXS. Mothers of children with DS tended to use more confirming and praising behaviors. Directive and restrictive behaviors were negatively associated with children’s attention and positively associated with child behavioral problems and maternal stress. Implications of these findings are discussed.