Chemical and spectroscopic studies of three 1, 8-naphthoquinodimethanes

Forty mothers of 3 and 4 year olds, 20 mothers identified as having obsessional personality-styles and 20 identified as having hysteroid personality-styles, were videotaped in 30-minute free-play sessions in a playroom setting. Identification of personality-style was made on the basis of scores on the Hysteroid-Obsessoid Questionnaire (HOQ). Statistical analysis and qualitative evaluation of the tapes indicated significant differences in directiveness, style of play, and expression of affect between the groups. The data indicate that differences in mother-child interactions are influenced in specific ways by both the personality-style of the mother and the sex of the child. Hysteroid mothers were observed to initiate more play activities with their children and to give more directions in nontask situations than obsessional mothers. Trends toward engaging in more teaching and pretend play were also observed in hysteroid mothers, but these did not reach significance. Hysteroid mothers were rated as expressing more overt affect than obsessional mothers. An interaction between group and sex was observed for hysteroid mothers and their male children, with these mothers initiating significantly more play activities with their sons and giving them significantly more directions. Obsessional mothers were seen to be quite attentive to their children but less directive than hysteroid mothers. They were observed to do more coaching with their male children in task situations than did hysterics. Possible ways the mother's personality-style may influence iv

the development of cognitive and personality-styles in the child are discussed, and directions for further research in this area are outlined. The use of free-play sessions to provide information for the childtherapist about the mother-child relationship is suggested.