The role of parental involvement in trajectories of aggression in children from 24 months to Pre-Kindergarten using growth curve models

Abstract

The significant contribution of parental involvement in children's education to children's educational success is well supported. Yet less frequently studied is the influence of parental involvement on children's social-emotional development. Given that problem behaviors are negatively associated with child outcomes and that parental involvement is widely accepted as a conduit through which children's educational outcomes can be enhanced, it is important to examine this relationship.In this study, we examine the effect of early parental involvement on the social-emotional development of children. Using data from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation study (EHSRE), we examine the within individual and between-individual differences in trajectories of aggression among children (N=1586) ages 24months through Prekindergarten. Contrary to hypotheses, after controlling for significant covariates (i.e., race, gender, poverty, mother's education, and adult male in the household), parental involvement was not related to aggression at 24months. In addition, change in aggression did not vary by level of parental involvement. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.