Perinatal precursors of home stimulation in families of sick newborns.

The relationship between biological, psychosocial, and demographic perinatal factors and the adequacy of the children's home environment was evaluated in a sample of 69 families 3 years after their children had been discharged from a newborn intensive care unit. Almost 40% of the variance (p = .0001) in the amount of home stimulation was explained by income, race, and maternal age. Three maternal perinatal psychosocial characteristics explained an additional 12% of the variance (p = .0001). Both maternal demographic and psychosocial factors appear to contribute to the preschool home environment. Research focused on the precursors of an adequate early home environment could suggest specific interventions for the primary prevention of parenting problems.