Associations of biological factors and affordances in the home with infant motor development

Pediatr Int. 2013 Apr;55(2):197-203. doi: 10.1111/ped.12042.

Abstract

Background: Whereas considerable work has been published regarding biological factors associated with infant health, much less is known about the associations of environmental context with infant development - the focus of the present cross-sectional study.

Methods: Data were collected on 561 infants, aged newborn to 18 months. Measures included the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale, Alberta Infant Motor Scale, and selected bio/medical factors. Correlation and regression were used to analyze the data.

Results: Home environmental factors were associated with children's motor development as much as some typically high-risk biologic factors.

Conclusion: The home environment partially explained infant development outcomes and infants at risk could possibly be helped with a home assessment for affordances.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Factors*
  • Child Development / physiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Environment
  • Female
  • Housing*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Environment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Biological Factors