Model Structure for Mother-Child Relationship for Korean Infants and Toddlers and Their Mothers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to set up a hypothetical model to explain causal relationships among influential variables in the mother-child relationship for Korean infants and toddlers and their mothers. The research was based on Barnard’s (1978) mother-child relations model, and goodness-of-fit was examined. Methods: The participants were 207 mothers with infants or toddlers. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS programs. Results: Regarding the influence of the variables on the mother-child relationship between infants and toddlers and their mothers, social support had a 75% explanation of mother-child relationships, and attachment had a 58% explanation of social support. Attachment had both direct and indirect effects on the mother-child relationships, and social support had direct and total effects on the mother-child relationships. Among child-related variables, child temperament had a moderating effect on the mother-child relationships. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the model has utility in developing effective nursing intervention methods to boost mother-child relationships between infants and toddlers and their mothers.