Individual differences in homeless preschoolers' social behavior

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate correlates of individual differences in homeless preschoolers' social behavior upon entry into a childcare setting. 49 (34 boys, 15 girls) 3- to 5-year-olds from homeless families participated. Families were residing in temporary shelters and were recruited during the child's intake into the daycare program. Parent interview data, teacher ratings of the children, standardized test scores, and videotaped observational data were obtained. Correlational analyses demonstrated individual differences in developmental status based, in part, on differences in homelessness. Results of correlational and regression analyses showed that significant variance in the child's social behavior was accounted for by measures of the child's temperament, developmental status, relationship with his/her parent and/or sibling, parental characteristics and indices of homelessness (e.g., length of time homeless, length of time in shelter). In particular, indices of homelessness predicted the child's social behavior above and beyond the more typical individual difference variables (e.g., temperament, developmental functioning, gender). Findings are discussed in terms of the effect of homelessness on the child's development and social experience.