Relationship with husband and child, interpersonal attitude, and personal development as mother

Abstract

The present study examined how relationship with husband and child and interpersonal attitude affected a women's personal development as mother. One hundred forty-two mothers with a 3- to 5-year-old child completed a questionnaire that consisted of three scales: Parent Development Scale (Kashiwagi & Wakamatu, 1994); Husband and Children Attachment Scale (Ohinata, 1988); and Attachment Style Scale (Takuma & Toda, 1988). The last was used to measure the person's basic interpersonal attitude. Results indicated first that the person's close relationship with her child had an influence over various aspects of development as mother. Second, strong attachment to her husband seemed to make the person more active in her life. Third, the interpersonal attitude appeared to be related with the person's flexibility.