This study focuses on identifying factors that contribute to variation in maternal childrearing practices. Of particular interest were parenting practices related to cognitive outcomes during infancy and the early childhood period. It was hypothesized that parenting behavior is multiply determined and that three of the determinants are childrearing beliefs, social support, and infant temperament. Socioeconomic status, a factor consistently linked to differences in parenting style, was included as a determining variable. Childrearing beliefs were assessed in four domains: beliefs regarding "spoiling" the child, beliefs regarding floor freedom, beliefs regarding discipline and control, and beliefs regarding verbal stimulation. A total of 65 mother-infant dyads, residing in Tompkins County, New York, participated in the study. Infants ranged in age from 9 through 23 months; mean age was 15 months. Data were collected with the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), the Parental Beliefs Survey, a social support interview, the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire, and questions soliciting background information. Findings were consistent with the notion that maternal behavior is multiply determined. Childrearing beliefs and social support proved to be strong predictors of maternal childrearing practices, as assessed with the HOME inventory. Findings were also consistent with the hypothesis that childrearing beliefs and social support mediate the relation between socioeconomic status and childrearing practices. (RH)