Psychosocial Functioning of Mothers of Malnourished Children

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Abstract
Mothers of malnourished children were compared with mothers whose children were matched for age and family income but were not malnourished. The mothers were interviewed and asked to describe their relationships with their children, their children''s fathers, extended families, friends and employers. The mothers of malnourished children described more chronically disrupted lives. Their housing conditions and employment records reflected disorganization. They had fewer social contacts, except with extended families who supervised excessively. The fathers of their babies were either not present or unsupportive. Relationships were more stereotyped, transient and focused on material aspects. The mothers'' narcissistic concerns took precedence over the needs of their children. Nearly all the mothers, including the controls, had suffered severe deprivation in childhood. Some mothers of malnourished children were apathetic and dependent, whereas others were manipulative and evasive. Mothers of children with failure-to-thrive in affluent countries were described.

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