NEW mothers will be given a 10-minute test developed by psychologists to help identify whether their babies risk developing antisocial behavioural problems later in life.

Designed to allow health workers to identify women failing to bond with their children and needing help, the questionnaire is aimed at mothers with babies under six months of age.

It has been developed by researchers at Heriot-Watt University’s family and personal relationships laboratory and was funded by the Scottish Executive’s Centre for Integrated Healthcare Research as part of its plans to tackle antisocial behaviour.

A pilot scheme for mothers in key areas of Scotland will begin in November. Studies have shown that infants whose mothers fail to properly bond with them are at risk of becoming aggressive children and of later developing antisocial behaviour.

The tests, which the researchers hope will eventually be implemented through health visitors, are in line with a recent announcement by Tony Blair calling for early intervention in dysfunctional families to prevent child behavioural problems emerging.

Dr Bjarne Holmes, the psychologist leading the research, said that the questionnaire related to “how the mum’s experiences related to bonding issues”. He emphasised that the tests aimed not to blame parents, but to help them.

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