Children In Middle Childhood Research Articles

Daily sibling interactions among latino children in middle childhood: An examination of familism values and sibling roles

Siblings are children’s most frequent daily companions in middle childhood and these relationships are theorized to be dynamic in nature but are rarely studied in a way that captures their day-to-day variation. Guided by cultural-ecological and relationship perspectives, this study examined the role of older siblings’ familism values and caring roles as predictors of average levels of and day-to-day variation in siblings’ positive and negative exchanges across seven days and tested moderation by child sex. Participants were older ( M = 10.6 years; SD = 0.39; 46.6% female) and younger siblings ( M = 8.2 years; SD = 1.07; 47.2% female) in 307 Latino sibling dyads recruited from 11 elementary schools in the southwestern U.S. Data were collected via home visits with parents, and in afterschool sessions and seven nightly phone calls with siblings. Analyses were conducted using a random variability model in a multilevel structural equation modeling approach. Findings revealed consistent associations between older siblings’ familism values and sibling roles and both average levels of and intraindividual variation in older siblings’ positivity and negativity. For younger siblings, some findings were moderated by child sex with more consistent links to younger sisters’ positivity and negativity than younger brothers’. Discussion highlights how older siblings’ cultural values and roles shape both overall levels of and day-to-day fluctuations in siblings’ exchanges and offers future directions of research.

Exploring the Impact of AR Games on Attention Concentration in Middle Childhood Children: A Demonstration Using Merge Cube as an Example

Exploring the Impact of AR Games on Attention Concentration in Middle Childhood Children: A Demonstration Using Merge Cube as an Example

Latine children's attributions of cultural and structural discrimination and the role of neighborhood context

AbstractWe investigated first‐and second‐generation Latine immigrant children's attributions for cultural and structural discrimination, and how this differed based on their own neighborhood composition. Participants were recruited from 19 elementary schools (N = 101 girls, 101 boys), and ranged in age from 8 to 12 years old (M = 9.22; SD = 11.98 months). All children were either first‐generation (40%) or second‐generation (60%) immigrants from Mexico, South America, and Central America. Mixed ANCOVAs analyzed how attributions of structural and cultural discrimination differed based on children's perceptions of ethnic residential composition. The findings indicated that elementary school‐aged Latine children, regardless of neighborhood composition, were aware of the biased cultural narrative that Latine immigrants are “criminals.” This seems to be the most salient form of cultural discrimination for children in middle childhood and echoes much of the political rhetoric around immigration reform. Children's own neighborhood composition predicted their understanding of residential segregation. Children who lived in predominantly White neighborhoods perceived segregation to be due to White people's biases, whereas children who lived in predominantly Latine neighborhoods perceived segregation to be due to Latine families’ economic disadvantage or both groups’ mutual preferences. These findings suggest that Latine children, by middle childhood, are aware of biased cultural narratives in the U.S., and their understanding of structural inequalities are related to the neighborhood context in which they live.

A Qualitative Exploration of Sibling Relationship Quality Among Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) places children at risk for negative developmental outcomes. However, many IPV-exposed (eIPV) children exhibit resilience, which is promoted by protective factors including positive, caring relationships. Sibling relationships can buffer eIPV children from poor adjustment outcomes but have scarcely been studied. This study explored how eIPV children in middle childhood understood and made meaning of their sibling relationships. Six eIPV sibling dyads were recruited for individual interviews and participation in a video-recorded play session. A descriptive phenomenological analysis was conducted using both forms of data. Five main themes of eIPV sibling relationships emerged and were presented through textual and structural descriptions. Implications for practice and policy and areas for future research are discussed.

Factor structure of callous unemotional traits and its associations with morality in middle childhood in a German community sample

The present study focuses on assessing the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) in a German community sample of middle childhood participants. Previous research on the ICU has primarily been conducted in different samples and countries, with inconsistent results, i.e., different models in different samples and little attention given to German middle childhood populations. A critical need to deepen the understanding of callous-unemotional traits in middle childhood is urgently needed. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the factor structure of the ICU within a sample of children in middle childhood from Germany. A total of 824 children aged 7 to 12 years (M = 10.34, SD = 1.65) participated (52.18% boys). The ICU, a self-report measure, was employed to assess callous-unemotional traits in middle childhood. Additionally, this study also examines the relationship between callous-unemotional traits and morality. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate various model structures based on previous research. The best-fitting model was found to be a two-factor model consisting of callousness and uncaring factors. The moral self shows a stronger overarching association with the uncaring factor than with callousness. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the applicability of the ICU across various age ranges, particularly in childhood, and the results are discussed in the context of other identified models and age groups and suggest that assessing CU traits requires a detailed perspective, taking into account other developmental factors.

Measuring parents' regulatory media use for themselves and their children

IntroductionParents often use media to manage their own or their child's emotions and behaviors, which is called “regulatory media use.” While the use of media to alleviate negative emotions and behaviors may be helpful in the short-term, there may be negative consequences in the long-term (e.g., for children's development of self-regulatory skills). Research remains limited, often relying on a single, binary question asking whether a parent ever uses media to calm their child. To enable future research on the effects of regulatory media use, this paper described initial scale development efforts for measuring parents' regulatory media use for themselves (parent scale) and their children (child scale).MethodsThese scales were tested in an aggregate sample of parents with children 1–10 years old, and with each of three subsamples representing parents of children in infancy (15-25 months old), early childhood (2–5 years old), and middle childhood (5–10 years old).ResultsOverall, the results provide initial support for the scales as a reliable tool for measuring regulatory media use. Both scales for parents and children had a stable three-factor structure that held within each of the three subsamples. Further, both scales had predictive validity, each predicting parenting stress and child screen time.DiscussionBuilding upon earlier studies that often focused on single items to measure regulatory purposes, the initial scales appear to capture a multifaceted range of regulatory uses of media. The comprehensive measurement of regulatory media use enabled by these scales can inform more effective and tailored media guidelines and interventions, and the potential applications and implications for future research are discussed.

Parenting of siblings in Latinx families during middle childhood.

Parents' management of their children's sibling relationships, or sibling-focused parenting, has substantial theoretical and practical importance but is rarely studied. This study's goals were to describe dimensions of sibling-focused parenting and to examine sociocultural resources and challenges as potential correlates among Latinx mothers and fathers in 262 families with two children in middle childhood. Families were recruited from 11 public elementary schools, and caregivers (248 mother figures; 118 father figures) participated in a home visit and phone interviews at the onset of the study. Sibling-focused parenting included three dimensions: positive guidance (10 items), nonintervention (four items), and authoritarian control (five items). Parents rated positive guidance as their most frequent strategy, and comparisons of mothers and fathers from the same families revealed that mothers engaged in more sibling-focused parenting overall than fathers. Regarding correlates, mothers' familism values and mothers' and fathers' family cohesion reports were associated with more positive guidance and mothers' cohesion was negatively related to nonintervention in sibling conflicts. For mothers only, parenting stress was linked to all three dimensions of sibling-focused parenting-negatively to guidance and positively to authoritarian control and nonintervention; maternal depressive symptoms were positively linked to authoritarian control. Economic hardship was not a significant correlate of any dimension. Findings suggest that sibling-focused parenting is a key domain of parenting in need of further research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The sense of coherence and parental resilience and the involvement of parents of children with special developmental needs in early reading initiations

Background: Despite many empirical findings on the socioeconomic predictors of parental involvement in early reading initiations, there is still a lack of clear data on the psychological factors determining parental involvement in the development of children's language and reading skills. Objectives: The research was aimed at recognizing the level of the sense of coherence and its components presented by the parents of children with special developmental needs, psychological resilience and its components such as knowledge of the child's characteristics, perceived social support and positive perception of parenthood, as well as declared involvement in early reading initiations, recognition of relationships between the variables examined and predictors of involvement of parents of children with special developmental needs in undertaking joint reading initiations with children in early and middle childhood. Methodology: In the decryption-analytical research, the diagnostic survey method was used with the use of tools such as the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC 29), the Parenting Resilience Elements Questionnaire (PREQ) and the Family Literacy Activities Inventory (FLAI). The study was conducted in a group of parents of children with special developmental needs (N=198) attending pre-school facilities and departments as well as early development support centers in the Mazowieckie and Dolnośląskie voivodeships. Results: The obtained data indicate significant relationships between the sense of coherence and parental resilience and the involvement of parents in early reading initiations, and the mediating function of the positive perception of parenthood in the relation between the sense of coherence of parents and their involvement in early reading initiations.

Mapping active civic learning in primary schools across England—A call to action

AbstractEncouraging children to become ‘good citizens’ who positively contribute towards society through charitable and philanthropic action as part of their civic participation has become a core focus of policy and practice. Yet the opportunities afforded to children for active civic learning within primary education remain under‐researched. This article presents findings from a multi‐survey study that seeks to unpick ‘what’ and ‘how’ active civic learning is happening in primary schools across England. By mapping active civic learning across the country, we find that these opportunities are unequally dispersed. Specifically, from an early age, children from more affluent backgrounds are more likely to be prepared for active civic engagement, orientated around ideas of social justice, than those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This raises significant challenges for education policy and practice and calls for greater attention to be paid to civic learning for all children in early and middle childhood.

The trouble with a cuddle: Families’ experiences of supervising interactions between children in middle childhood and the family dog

Abstract Background: There is growing scientific interest in the benefits for children of interacting with and engaging with domestic dogs. Since the effects of such pairings on the dog are under explored, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of family units supervising interactions between children in middle childhood (7–12) and the family dog(s). Methods: Ten families with at least one child aged 7–12 years old (mean 8.6, SD 1.6) and a family dog were recruited via social media to participate in whole family unit face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Experience of the effects of child-dog interaction (CDI) on the family dog was explored through discussion and reflections of CDIs, the dog’s responses, and how these were managed. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis using a semantic approach was used to construct key themes. Results: All families reported that the most positive CDIs were of mutual play or that the dog freely approached the child with the ability to move away. This dynamic is subsequently referred to as dog freedom of choice (FOC). Most discussed experiences of dog aggression or avoidance of the child when FOC was compromised by close physical contact (CPC) from the child, such as cuddling. In most cases, the caregivers and children within the family unit were aware that the dog did not always enjoy such a CPC. However, interviewees recognised that such awareness did not always lead to cessation of the interaction. Conclusions: While shared play where FOC was supported suggested mutual benefits, CDIs perceived as expressions of affection, for example, hugs towards the family dog, may compromise dog quality of life and raise the risk of dog bites. Furthermore, a caregiver or child with conscious awareness of a dog reacting aversely to compromised FOC is not always a mechanism for ending of the interaction. This may raise questions about the efficacy of education programmes intended to raise the recognition of dog body language to change human behaviour.

Artículo traducido] Mejora de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en niños de mediana edad con parálisis cerebral después de un alargamiento miofascial percutáneo selectivo y fisioterapia funcional

Introduction and objectivesChildren with cerebral palsy (CP) experience decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to assess the HRQOL of children with CP before versus after a combined program of minimally invasive selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening (SPML) and functional physiotherapy. Material and methodsA single-group pre–posttest design was used. Twenty-six middle childhood children with spastic CP, aged 5–7 years, with Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II–IV underwent SPML surgery and 9 months of postoperative functional strength training therapy. The proxy version of the DISABKIDS-Smiley questionnaire was completed by one parent of each child. Dependent t-tests were used to compare mean pre- and post-measurement scores. ResultsAfter the 9-month intervention, the children with CP had significantly higher quality of life scores (mean difference, 11.06 ± 9.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.40–14.71; p < 0.001). ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that children with CP had better HRQOL after a combined program of minimally invasive SPML surgery and functional physiotherapy (ACTRN12618001535268).

Lost support, lost skills: Children's cognitive outcomes following grandparental death

ObjectiveThis study examines the implications of grandparental death for cognitive skills in middle childhood. MethodThis study uses data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 2479) to estimate ordinary least squares regression models of the associations between grandparental death and subsequent cognitive skills among children in middle childhood. ResultsExperiencing a grandparental death between ages 5 and 9 is associated with boys' lower reading, verbal, and math scores at age 9, with associations most notable for Black and Hispanic boys; grandparental death before age 5 has minimal influence on boys' cognitive skills at age 9. There is little indication that grandparental death adversely affects girls’ cognitive skills. ConclusionThe numerous and persistent implications of grandparental death for boys’ cognitive skills merit greater recognition of grandparental death as a source of family instability, stress, and ultimately inequality in child development.

An investigation into food choices among 5–12 years children in relation to sensory, nutritional, and healthy product cues

A key determinant of children’s health is the quality and quantity of their food and energy intake. In middle childhood children gain greater independence over their food choices. Understanding the factors that influence their choices is therefore important, particularly in the context of obesogenic food environments where children need to learn to identify and select healthier options. This study aimed to examine the role of food attributes in affecting children’s food preferences and perception of healthiness and tastiness. A secondary aim was to determine if portion size was related to children’s food perceptions and preferences. Participants (children 5–12 years) completed a discrete choice experiment (n = 2112) that examined their perceptions of bread and smoothies when the attributes of type/flavour, food form and portion size were systematically varied. Children were asked about their (i) food preferences, and their perceptions of (ii) healthiness and (iii) tastiness. Data were analyzed using a conditional logit model for the foods independently, and the relative contribution of the attributes to children’s preferences, and perceptions of healthiness and tastiness was determined. The results found that children primarily used the type/flavour of the breads and smoothies to form their preferences and perceptions, and the other attributes (portion size and food form), had minimal influence. This study found that children aged 5–12 years made simple food choices and formed perceptions of how healthy or tasty a food was based on a single food characteristic (the type/flavour), ignoring the portion size and food form. This suggests that when children in middle childhood make food choices, they are likely to rely primarily on the food’s flavour or type and do not consider other important attributes that will affect their diet quality and energy balance.

Improving health-related quality of life in middle-age children with cerebral palsy following selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening and functional physiotherapy

Introduction and objectivesChildren with cerebral palsy (CP) experience decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to assess the HRQOL of children with CP before versus after a combined program of minimally invasive selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening (SPML) and functional physiotherapy. Material and methodsA single-group pre–posttest design was used. Twenty-six middle childhood children with spastic CP, aged 5–7 years, with Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II–IV underwent SPML surgery and 9 months of postoperative functional strength training therapy. The proxy version of the DISABKIDS-Smiley questionnaire was completed by one parent of each child. Dependent t-tests were used to compare mean pre- and post-measurement scores. ResultsAfter the 9-month intervention, the children with CP had significantly higher quality of life scores (mean difference, 11.06±9.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.40–14.71; p<0.001). ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that children with CP had better HRQOL after a combined program of minimally invasive SPML surgery and functional physiotherapy (ACTRN12618001535268).

Profiles of parents' emotion socialization within a multinational sample of parents.

Seminal emotion socialization theories classify parents according to two patterns of parent emotion socialization processes: 'emotion coaching' (i.e., parents validate and teach children about emotions) versus 'emotion dismissing' parenting (i.e., parents minimize and dismiss their children's emotions). However, empirical evidence supporting this binary distinction of parents remains limited. Our objective was to investigate whether parents can be differentiated by distinct patterns in their (1) beliefs about children's emotions, (2) emotion regulation, and (3) emotion-related parenting practices. Participants were parents of children aged 4-10 years from the Child and Parent Emotion Study (N = 869) (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/10/e038124). Parents completed self-reported measures of emotion socialization processes via an online survey, which took 20-30 min to complete. Data included in the current study were collected May-August 2019. We conducted a latent profile analysis of parents' emotion socialization (13 indicators). To assess reliability of the profiles, we examined stability of the profiles across (1) parents of children in early versus middle childhood, and (2) fathers versus mothers, via measurement invariance testing. Further, to assess for construct validity of the profiles, we examined concurrent associations between six criterion constructs and parents' emotion socialization profiles. A three-profile model emerged characterizing parents by: (1) emotion coaching; (2) emotion dismissing; (3) emotion disengaged. There was strong support for construct validity and reliability. Our study provides empirical support for distinct differentiated classifications of emotion coaching and emotion dismissing parenting, aligned with emotion socialization theories. We further extend on extant theory and suggest a third 'emotion disengaged' classification, describing parents with moderate levels of emotion dismissing parenting and low levels of emotion coaching parenting. It should be noted that the profiles were derived with self-report data, therefore, data may have been biased by contextual factors. Furthermore, the study sample consisted of Western families from affluent backgrounds. The field should focus efforts on conducting person-centered studies with more diverse samples in future.

Prevalence and intensity of caries in children

Aim. To evaluate the dental health of children in early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.Materials and Methods. The prevalence and intensity of caries were assessed in 90 children from different age groups: 20 children from the early childhood group (6 years old), 45 children from the middle childhood group (12 years old), and 25 teenagers (15 years old).Results. In the middle childhood group, the “Decayed” component of the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) starts to appear, showing a clear increase with age. For instance, in teenagers, it is 4.04 ± 2.08, which is more than twice as high as in middle childhood children. A similar trend is observed with the “Filled” component of the index - while it was only 0.1 ± 0.02 in 6-year-old children, this indicator shows a clear increase with age, amounting to 2.15 ± 0.15 in teenagers. Consequently, in teenagers, the “Filled” component prevails at 2.15 ± 0.15, while the “Decayed” component is 1.57 ± 0.13, which is 1.3 times lower.Conclusion. An age-related prevalence and intensity of caries have been established, with the “Decayed” component of the DMFT index characteristically being identified in middle-aged children, with a tendency to increase. Both mothers and children lack sufficient dental education to prevent dental caries and other dental diseases. The survey showed that about two-thirds (84.6%) of the respondents prefer soft foods. A comprehensive revision of the existing methodology for organizing and conducting educational work among children on caries prevention is required.

The impact of parents' physical activity goals and parental attitudes on physical activity during leisure time among children in middle childhood.

Parents' supportiveness and health-promoting habits significantly affect the intensity of children's physical activity (PA) and the involvement of parents in their engagement in PA; in this domain, both the hours devoted to PA and PA goals can be assessed. The family plays an important role in shaping the physical and social organization of the environment for children aged 4-6 years. A total of 680 families with 5-year-old children (330 girls, 350 boys) took part in the study. Data were collected from these participants, who were recruited from preschools and primary schools in the Pomeranian region of Poland. The aim of this study was to determine whether the involvement of parents in PA mediates the influence of parental attitudes on the ways in which their children spend their leisure time. The results showed that not all parental attitudes had direct impact on children's leisure time in PA and outside PA. Other aspects parental attitude had no significant impact on offspring's free time. Among fathers, only four aspects of parental attitude (namely, acceptance-rejection, inconsistency, autonomy, and overprotectiveness) had an impact on PA goals. Mothers' goals were influenced by the strength of a larger number of aspects of attitude (namely, acceptance-rejection, autonomy, inconsistency, over-demandingness, and overprotectiveness). Similarly, the strength of mothers' and fathers' acceptance-rejection attitudes, attitudes of autonomy, and overprotectiveness had an impact on their PA goals but were not directly linked to their children's leisure-time engagement in PA. Not all parental attitudes have a direct impact on children's PA or non-PA leisure time. However, the goals of PA parents have been recognized influence the leisure time of children in PA and outside PA. The most statistically significant relationship for both mothers and fathers was between parental attitudes and PA goals. Parental attitudes do not play a significant role in explaining involvement in PA or lack of it in leisure time among 5-year-old children.

Parenting stress, general distress, and coparenting quality: An Actor–Partner Interdependence Moderation Model

AbstractMothers and fathers who experience parenting stress are more likely to show symptoms of distress, such as elevated levels of anxiety and/or depression. Identifying the buffering or exacerbating factors that might moderate the association between parenting stress and general distress can help inform theoretical models aimed at better understanding the reality faced by parents during challenging times, as well as improve intervention strategies. The objective of this study was to examine whether coparenting quality plays a moderating role in the association between parenting stress and general distress in parents of children in middle childhood. Eighty‐one couples were asked to complete questionnaires pertaining to their levels of parenting stress, the quality of their coparenting relationship, and their symptoms of distress. Using an Actor–Partner Interdependence Moderation Model, our results revealed that elevated levels of parenting stress were associated with elevated levels of general distress, whereas higher scores of coparenting quality were associated with fewer symptoms of distress. Our results also showed a moderating role for coparenting quality in the association between actor parenting stress and actor/partner distress. These findings highlight the importance of pursuing the investigation of dyadic effects within personal relationships.

Children's shyness, emotional intelligence, and internalizing behaviors

Although previous studies have shown that shyness is a risk factor for internalizing behaviors, not all shy children are affected to the same extent, suggesting possible moderating factors. Emotional intelligence (EI) may be one factor that is protective against internalizing problems for some shy children. EI is a socio-cognitive skill that helps individuals understand and use their emotions, and the emotions of others, to achieve goals. Here we examined whether EI moderated the relation between children's shyness and internalizing behaviors. Participants were 115 school-aged children (Mage = 8.84 years, SD = 0.44 years, 49 girls). Parents completed online questionnaires about the child's shyness, EI, and internalizing behaviors. We found that EI moderated the relation between shyness and internalizing behaviors. Specifically, shyness was positively related to internalizing behaviors for children with low EI, but unrelated to internalizing behaviors for children with high EI. These findings suggest that EI may play a protective role against internalizing behaviors for some shy children in middle childhood.

Attachment dimensions and problem behaviors in middle-childhood children: a comparative study in terms of maternal mental health

This study aimed to examine the differences between middle-childhood children of mothers receiving and not receiving mental health services in terms of attachment dimensions and problem behaviors, and the relationship of problem behaviors in middle-childhood children with some socio-demographic variables.&#x0D; Using quantitative research method, this study had two sample groups: the study and comparison groups. Additionally, it involved a total of 127 mothers and 127 children in the 9-14 age group, including 62 mothers and their children in the study group (receiving mental health services) and 65 mothers and their children in the comparison group (not receiving mental health services). For data collection, the following scales were applied to both groups. The data collecting process consisted of the Personal Information Form, the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale II – Middle-Childhood, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (AB 4-16).&#x0D; The results showed that the study group children tended to have insecure attachment and problematic behaviors more than the comparison group children. In addition to mother’s need for mental health services, mother’s educational level, child’s birth after an unplanned pregnancy, and separation from one or both parents for a period were also considered as important factors affecting problem behaviors in children.&#x0D; This study revealed the preventable factors in the development of problem behaviors in children. These results contribute to the practices of mental health professionals and the role of child welfare systems in developing protective-preventive services.