Role Of Parent-child Interaction Research Articles

Parent-child interactions in early life mediating association between prenatal maternal stress and autistic-like behaviors among preschoolers

ABSTRACT A range of studies have shown that prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) exposure is associated with offspring autistic-like behaviors, however the potential pathways remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the mediating role of parent-child interactions in early life in the association between PNMS exposure and preschoolers’ autistic-like behaviors. Data from 65,928 child-parent dyads were obtained via a primary caregiver-reported questionnaire administered as part of the Longhua Child Cohort Study. To strengthen confidence in the reliability of the results, the analyses were initially conducted on a random selection of 70% of the total sample, and then validated on the remaining 30% of the sample. Analysis of covariance and multiple linear models were employed to estimate the associations between PNMS exposure, parent-child interactions in early life, and children’s autistic-like behaviors. The results showed that PNMS exposure was positively associated with the presence of autistic-like behaviors at preschool age. The total indirect effect of the frequency of positive parent-child interactions in early life accounted for 9.69% or 8.99% of the variance of the association. Our findings indicate that parent-child interactions in early life might function as potential mediators of the association between PNMS and the increased risk of offspring autistic-like behaviors.

Exploring children’s responses to store atmosphere

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore children’s responses to store atmosphere, and the role of parent-child interaction in these responses. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a qualitative study within two French stores and employed a grounded-theory approach to analyse data. Data were collected from 41 in-store observations and 20 in-depth interviews with children aged 7-11. Findings This research reveals that the impact of store atmospherics on children’s responses to store environment and on their behaviour in-store is a complex phenomenon. Children passively and actively respond to store atmosphere. They appropriate and re-appropriate store environment for their own goal of play. Store atmospherics may lead to positive outcomes in the form of children’s exploration of the store, desire to stay longer and intention to revisit. However, store atmosphere can also become the source of conflicts between parents and children, and therefore have a negative impact on children’s behaviour in-store. Research limitations/implications The study deepens the understanding of children’s responses to store atmosphere by taking account of parent-child interaction. It extends research on the effects of store atmosphere on children’s behaviour by suggesting the moderating effect of parent-child conflict. Nevertheless, the number of stores selected limits the findings. Practical implications The findings of this study enable retailers to improve the atmosphere of their stores by making it fun and creative in order to attract children to play there. Furthermore, the study provides interesting findings for retailers on how to overcome the challenge of inappropriate store atmosphere creating or aggravating parent-child conflict during shopping trips. Social implications The authors suggest solving conflicts between children and parents through common activities within the store or through interactive technologies that favour communication and enable children to learn through play. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in its focus on the role of parent-child interaction in children’s responses to store atmosphere. The authors intend to reveal the complicated relationship between store atmosphere, children’s responses and parent-child interaction in-store.

The Role of Parent-Child Interaction in Community-Based Youth Relationship Education

abstractThis study sought to answer whether there is an association between parent-adolescent relationship processes and adolescents' awareness of unhealthy relationships. Adolescent awareness of unhealthy relationships was measured using a retrospective pre/post survey after participation in a relationship education (RE) program that has been adapted for use with youth. Supportiveness in the parent-child relationship was measured at pre-test. The sample consisted of 6984 adolescents aged 11–18. The sample was fairly representative of the areas from which it was drawn: 54% European American, 36% African American. Results revealed significant improvement in awareness of unhealthy relationships after program participation. Greater supportiveness predicted greater change in the outcome. This suggests that RE programs targeted at youth should specifically inform parents of goals so that they may be reinforced in parents' interactions with their adolescents.

Physiological regulation of stress in referred adolescents: the role of the parent–adolescent relationship

Psychopathology in youth appears to be linked to deficits in regulating affective responses to stressful situations. In children, high-quality parental support facilitates affect regulation. However, in adolescence, the role of parent-child interaction in the regulation of affect is unclear. This study examined physiological reactivity to and recovery from stress in adolescents at risk for psychopathology, and their associations with internalising and externalising problems and parent-adolescent interactions. A total of 99 adolescents (M = 13.57 years, SD = 1.83) with a history of mental health problems underwent the Alarm Stress Task and were reunited with their primary caregiver after the stressor, while the physiological responses of the parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia) and sympathetic (pre-ejection period) systems were measured. The quality of parent-adolescent interaction was determined from observations of secure-base seeking and providing during the task. Affect regulation was measured as physiological reactivity and recovery after the stressor. Adolescents with high levels of externalising problems and low levels of secure-base support showed weaker parasympathetic reactivity and recovery. Higher level of adolescent secure-base seeking was associated with stronger sympathetic reactivity and recovery. Secure-base interactions between parents and adolescents facilitate physiological regulation of stress, especially for adolescents with externalising symptomatology.

Children's Understanding of TV Advertisements: Influence of Age, Sex and Parents

A study seeks to assess the children's understanding of television advertising from the early childhood to the early adolescence and the role of parent-child interaction in this process. For the purpose, two non-disguised structured questionnaires were designed and administered: one to the children and the other to their parents. Children from both the sexes were considered. The study has revealed that Indian children are not as easy a target as advertisers and critics believe. They are able to analyse TV ads and develop a realistic approach towards them. It has been further noticed that children as young as six years, could understand the purpose of TV ads and distinguish them from TV programmes. With increase in the age of the child, there was found to be a significant increase in his/her cognitive understanding of TV ads. Armed with the knowledge about the advertiser's persuasive intent and scepticism about the truthfulness of advertising claims, children above the age of eight years were found to have the ability to respond to TV ads in a mature and informed manner. The results of the present study also show that the TV ads contribute significantly towards the Indian children's consumer socialisation. Even parents admit the role that TV ads play in shaping their children's buying response. However, it was also found that early parent-child interaction was a key element if parents did not want their child to be effected adversely by TV ads. Parents have a responsibility to teach their child about the realities of the commercial world. They play a crucial role in determining what their child learns from TV ads as they supplement the information provided in them. The final lesson that a child extracts from the viewing of TV ads may be a joint product of what was shown on the screen and what was taught by the parents.

Influence of TV Advertisements on Children's Buying Response: Role of Parent-Child Interaction

The study seeks to assess the possible effects of television advertising on children's buying response from early childhood to early adolescence and the role of parent-child interaction in this process. For the purpose, two non-disguised structured questionnaires were designed and administered: one to the children and the other to their parents. Children from different income groups and both the sexes were considered. The study has revealed that parents give due recognition to the increasing role of children above the age of eight years in the family's purchase decision. Both the parents and the children felt the impact of TV advertisements on children's purchase request. However, with an increase in the age of the child, the parents' perception of the children's purchase request being influenced by TV advertisements tended to decrease. Parents' response to children's purchase request was found to be strongly influenced by the age of the child and the family income. The results further implied that parent-child interaction plays an important role in the children's learning positive consumer values and in parents perceiving the influence as positive on their children's buying response. Thus, instead of criticizing TV advertisements, it would be desirable if parents resort to more of co-viewing and explaining the intent and contents of such advertisements to their children.

Parent-child interaction and conduct disorder

This paper reviews recent research on the role of parent-child interaction in the etiology of children's conduct disorder. It examines the role of social and family factors in conduct disorder and the possible mechanisms by which these contextual factors might affect parent-child interaction and child problem behavior. A major focus is on research that has compared the patterns of interaction in families with and without conduct-disordered children, using observational methods, in order to test different theoretical explanations about how conduct disorder develops and is maintained. Further research is needed on the neglected area of positive parent-child interaction, which may be just as important as conflictual processes in determining the development of conduct disorder. Theoretical and methodological issues are raised about the problems of determining causality from correlational research, and the possibilities for naturalistic experimental studies are discussed.

Early antecedents of childhood impulsivity: The role of parent-child interaction, cognitive competence, and temperament

This prospective longitudinal investigation examined early mother-child interaction as a predictor of children's later self-control capabilities. Multimethod assessments of mother-child relationships, primarily focused on observed relationship qualities in the home, were conducted during the first 2 years and related to children's later impulse control capabilities. Child cognitive competence and temperament assessed during the 2nd year were also related to later impulsivity. Follow-up assessments of children's impulsivity were conducted at age 6 (N = 79), using a variety of laboratory measures. Findings indicated that responsive, cognitively stimulating parent-toddler interactions in the 2nd year modestly predicted later measures of cognitive nonimpulsivity and ability to delay gratification. Security of mother-infant attachment predicted the same outcomes, but only for boys and not for girls. Child cognitive competence in the 2nd year also consistently predicted children's later impulse control capabilities, although this was not true for measures of child temperament. Overall, the findings support a multidimensional and developmental conceptualization of the early antecedents of childhood impulsivity.