Smarter mothers influence positively the child's cognitive development

A CREAL study says that mothers more capable intellectually can have a more positive cognitive development of their children. This occurs in case of mothers with fewer resources and opportunities. According to the study, among women of higher social class effect is not so obvious because all have more resources and a high level of education.

This project, led by CREAL researcher Joan Forns and published in Gaceta Sanitaria, explored the relationship between maternal intelligence and mental health and child neuropsychological development at 14 months of age in population, taking into account social class based on maternal occupation and educational level.

In fact, the study drew cases of birth cohorts within INMA (Childhood and Environment) project. The cognitive and psychomotor development was assessed by the Bayley scale of infant development. Intelligence and maternal mental health were assessed using the Test of Cattell and Cattell, and the General Health Questionnaire of 12 items, respectively.