2010 Volume 16 Issue 1 Pages 57-66
(Objective) The aim of this study was to clarify the correlation between the characteristics of the child-rearing environment of infants at 18 months of age and their responsiveness. (Methods) One hundred and seventy-two infants and parents/guardians who were registered in the Japan Children's Study project participated in the study. Interaction Rating Scale (IRS) was used to evaluate children's social skills and parenting at 18 month. Also Parents/guardians filled out a questionnaire regarding the child's gender, siblings, family structure and financial condition, parents' age, educational background, occupation, and child-rearing environment at home. (Results) The responsiveness of children at 18 months of age correlated significantly with "having a chance of reading books to child" and "having spousal support for child-rearing". (Conclusion) The results of this study suggested that Quality of child-rearing environment and spousal supports were important factors for social development of children at 18 months of age.