This investigation presents data on a seven-item short form of the Maternal
Behavior Rating Scale, which is a global rating scale designed to assess the
quality of maternal interactive behavior with young mentally retarded
children. Seven items were used to assess the interactive behavior of a sample
of 60 mothers while they were playing with their mentally retarded children
who were either 1, 2, or 3 years of age. A factor analysis of the seven items
revealed two independent parameters of maternal behavior, child oriented-
ness/pleasure, and control. A least squares regression procedure indicated that
the two factors accounted for 20% of the variability in children's level of
mental development. These results closely approximated those obtained with
the 18-item version of this scale.