Relations Between Parent EF and Child EF: The Role of Socioeconomic Status and Parenting on Executive Functioning in Early Childhood

Executive functioning (EF) in early childhood is well-established as a predictor of developmental outcomes, yet the factors that influence emerging EF abilities and the interplay among these factors in predicting individual differences in EF have not been systematically explored. The present study a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Translational issues in psychological science 2018-06, Vol.4 (2), p.122-137
Main Authors: Kao, Katie, Nayak, Srishti, Doan, Stacey N, Tarullo, Amanda R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cognitive Ability
Cognitive Flexibility
Early Childhood Development
Educational Attainment Level
Female
Human
Income Level
Individual Differences
Male
Occupational Status
Parental Characteristics
Parenting
Socioeconomic Status
Test Construction
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Summary:Executive functioning (EF) in early childhood is well-established as a predictor of developmental outcomes, yet the factors that influence emerging EF abilities and the interplay among these factors in predicting individual differences in EF have not been systematically explored. The present study assessed 3.5 to 4.5 year olds (N = 117) and their parent in the Boston Metropolitan Area. We specifically examine parent EF as a contributor to preschool children's EF and the role of parenting in this association. We also explore how distinct dimensions of socioeconomic status (i.e., income, parent education, occupational prestige) may differentially moderate the relationship between parent and child EF. Parent and child EF were related, such that the better parents performed on EF tasks, the better their children performed on EF tasks. Parents who reported using more parental strictness in their parenting had poorer EF. In addition, income was the only SES indicator that moderated the relationship between parent and child EF such that only in lower income households was parent EF closely linked to child EF. Findings indicate that for children in lower income households, who are already at risk for EF deficits, parent EF played a significant role in early childhood EF skills. What is the significance of this article for the general public? EF is a critical skill that has far reaching implications for children's adaptive functioning. Mapping the complex relations of parent EF and poverty to child EF will further our understanding of early influences on emergent EF.
ISSN:2332-2136
2332-2179
DOI:10.1037/tps0000154