Caregiving profiles of mothers in an economically disadvantaged sample from Turkey: An observational study

Objective: This study aims to investigate the patterns of maternal sensitivity via structured and systematic observational methods among mothers from a disadvantaged community in Turkey. Background: Caregiving sensitivity is shaped by cultural parenting ethnotheories, and there is a need to examine in non-Western cultures to see its universal and culturally-specific features. Method: Ninety-eight mothers and their interactions with infants were videotaped during home-visits, and their caregiving behaviours were assessed via the Maternal Behaviour Q-Set. Results: Results of the Q-factor analysis revealed two distinct caregiving profiles. The first profile, ‘sensitivity vs. insensitivity’, describes mothers who were characterised by sensitive behaviours to their babies, and acceptance of their infant. Mothers in this group were more aware and responsive to their babies’ needs and demands. The second profile, ‘nonsynchronous vs. synchronous’, describes mothers who showed noncontingent behaviours during interactions such as being unable to follow the pace of the infant or to respond to infants’ needs on time. Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature by showing that mothers from Turkey can be grouped in terms of sensitivity similar to the previous studies, although the descriptive behaviours of sensitivity may vary.