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The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Children's Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 22284

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gabrielle Coppola

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Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
Interests: early socio-affective and socio-emotional development; quality of parenting in typical and atypical conditions with a main focus on biological risk; early development of self-regulatory mechanisms; parental precursors of child’s psychopathological risk; psychological development of premature children and implementation of clinical interventions to support parenting in at risk conditions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) is pleased to announce a new Special Issue entitled “The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development”. In recent decades, a solid body of research has highlighted the main features of parenting in order to promote positive child development. Notwithstanding this evidence, there is a growing interest toward complex and dynamic models of understanding, as an attempt to overcome linear and deterministic models. Good examples are the interest in possible moderators and mediators, both individual and environmental, of parental determinants which predict differential developmental trajectories or that act as parental precursors of child developmental outcomes at a very early stage and/or over a wide period of time. Additionally, the scientific community is finding it challenging to understand the short- and long-term effects on child development of new caregiving environments (e.g., new forms of custody or parenting) or what can make a difference in atypical developmental outcomes, in terms of parental protective and risk factors, in the presence of biological risk, such as pre- or neonatal risk or neurodevelopmental disorders, and/or severe environmental conditions.

This collection aims to contribute to a complex and dynamic understanding of parenting in child typical and atypical development, by proposing new knowledge and new cutting-edge contributions, which will make a great contribution to the community. We especially welcome contributions focusing on new and unexplored aspects of parenting and child development, as well as those highlighting practical implications for the development of programs to support at risk parenting.

Dr. Gabrielle Coppola
Guest Editor

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Keywords

parenting
interaction
caregiving
parental style
risk factors
protective factors
moderators
mediators
longitudinal design
intervention
prevention
psychopathological risk
neurodevelopmental disorders
environmental risk

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1048 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Parenting and Preschoolers’ Psychosocial Adjustment: A Longitudinal Study

by Nicla Cucinella, Rossella Canale, Maria Valentina Cavarretta, Sonia Ingoglia, Nicolò Maria Iannello and Cristiano Inguglia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113750 - 22 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1908

Abstract

Previous research reported that positive parenting and parenting stress might impact children’s psychosocial adjustment. The current longitudinal study aimed at evaluating the associations over time between mothers’ positive parenting, their parenting stress, and their preschoolers’ social–emotional competence and emotional–behavioral difficulties. Participants were 53 Italian mothers, aged between 24 and 47 years (M = 35.30, SD = 5.28) at T0, and their children (females = 51%), aged between 3 and 6 years (M = 4.48, SD = 0.84) at T0. Mothers completed self-report scales at 2 time points (with a 2-year lag). An autoregressive cross-lagged model was tested that had a good fit to the data, χ²(6) = 3.37 ns, CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.00. The results showed that maternal positive parenting at T0 negatively predicted maternal parenting stress at T1; maternal parenting stress at T0 negatively predicted children’s social–emotional competence at T1. Moreover, at each time point, children’s social–emotional competence was associated positively with maternal positive parenting and negatively with maternal parenting stress; children’s emotional–behavioral difficulties were positively associated with maternal parenting stress. The results confirm that interactions with mothers are fundamental for children’s psychosocial adjustment. Implications for research and practice aimed at reducing parenting stress and fostering positive parenting are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development)

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14 pages, 586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Parenting, Dysregulation and Self-Esteem in Adolescents’ Problematic Social Network Site Use: A Test of Parallel and Serial Mediation Models in a Healthy Community Sample

by Alessandro Costantini, Cristina Semeraro, Pasquale Musso, Rosalinda Cassibba and Gabrielle Coppola

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013154 - 13 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2445

Abstract

The study addresses some gaps in the current understanding of adolescents’ Problematic Social Network Site Use (PSNSU) by exploring the role of parenting as a precursor, and dysregulation and self-esteem as possible mediators. The sample includes 148 parents (15% fathers) and their adolescent offspring (23% male, age ranging from 14 to 18 years old, M = 15.96, SD = 1.36). Parent-reported dysregulation and positive/negative parenting style and adolescent-reported PSNSU and self-esteem were collected. As to positive parenting, simple parallel mediations were fully supported: positive parenting was associated with less dysregulation and higher self-esteem and both conditions independently predicted adolescents’ PSNSU. Additionally, a serial mediation model was confirmed, suggesting that positive parenting is associated with less PSNSU by means of the sequential effect of dysregulation on self-esteem. As to negative parenting, results only support one simple mediation: negative parenting predicted PSNSU through dysregulation. Self-esteem was not impacted by negative parenting, interrupting the indirect pathways. The direct effect of negative parenting on PSNSU was significant, suggesting a partial mediation. Findings deepen the current understanding of teens’ PSNSU and highlight the importance of targeting parenting when implementing interventions to prevent and treat PSNSU. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development)

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15 pages, 368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of the Family Solidarity on Romanian Left behind Children

by Aniela Matei and Elen-Silvana Bobârnat

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5820; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105820 - 10 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2278

Abstract

In families that have at least one parent working outside the country’s borders, known in the literature as transnational families, family solidarity is undergoing changes. The aim of this paper is to explore the process of transforming family solidarity in the context of migration and to identify the effects of the family solidarity on children left behind. A qualitative research methodology was employed consisting in 24 in-depth interviews with parents and grandparents from transnational families, in the two Romanian regions with the highest number of children left behind and with high poverty rates. Our results show that the decrease of material and financial support provided from the parent left abroad has great implications for the feeling of unity with the family and for the material and emotional well-being of children. The risk factors for the children are a lack of financial support, which translates to material deprivation and creates the context for school dropout, lack of emotional support, and poor closeness between the child and departed parent, which relate to a disrupting emotional experience for the children. Findings provide new insights in capturing the relationship between family solidarity and the well-being of the child. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development)

12 pages, 2904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Reported Parental Interactions through Play with Young Children in Thailand: An Analysis of the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)

by Thitikorn Topothai, Rapeepong Suphanchaimat, Chompoonut Topothai, Viroj Tangcharoensathien, Nisachol Cetthakrikul and Orratai Waleewong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3418; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063418 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2856

Abstract

Parental interactions through play contributes significantly to child development of cognitive and executive functioning skills. In Thailand, there is little evidence of factors contributing to parental–child interactions. In response to SDG target 4.2.3 monitoring (the percentage of children under 5 years experiencing positive and stimulating home learning environments), this study aimed to assess the prevalence and profile of parental interactions with their children under the age of five. We analysed data from the 6th Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the National Statistical Office in 2019. Face-to-face interviews with mothers and/or legal guardians were conducted. A total of 8856 children under the age of five were enrolled in this survey. Most participants, 90.3%, had engaged in at least four out of six activities with their children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that children raised by parents with secondary or post-secondary educations had a significantly greater chance to have parental interactions than children raised by parents who completed primary education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.66, and AOR = 2.34 for secondary and post-secondary education). Children who possessed three or more children’s books and had experience of toy play had a significantly higher chance of having parental interactions (AOR = 3.08 for book possessing, and AOR = 1.50 for the experience of toy play). Children who spent 1–3 h daily screen time had a significantly lower chance of having parental interactions than those who spent less than one hour of screen time (AOR = 0.67). In conclusion, with the emerging influence of digital technology, we recommend family and community promote parental interactions through play with young children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development)

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13 pages, 521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Reflective Functioning and Attachment Security in Girls and Boys: A Closer Look into the Middle Childhood

by Danguolė Čekuolienė, Lina Gervinskaitė-Paulaitienė, Izabelė Grauslienė, Asta Adler and Rasa Barkauskienė

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11261; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111261 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2151

Abstract

Child attachment undergoes major changes during middle childhood. Maternal reflective functioning (RF) is hypothesized to be an important correlate of a child’s attachment security during this period; however, the child’s gender role in this association has not been examined yet. In the present study, we used 64 mother-child (6–11 years old) dyads from a community sample to analyze the association between maternal RF and child attachment security and whether this link is moderated by gender. Maternal RF was assessed on the Parent Development Interview Revised (PDI-R2) and child attachment classifications were examined by the Child Attachment Interview (CAI). Results revealed the positive and statistically significant association between maternal RF and child attachment security in the whole sample. Further evaluations of this link in the groups of girls and boys separately indicated its significance for girls only. Finally, moderation analysis demonstrated the relation between child attachment security and maternal RF to be moderated by gender. These findings provide a new knowledge on gender role in attachment security in relation to maternal RF as well as suggest possible differentiation in the correlates on the pathway of secure attachment between girls and boys during middle childhood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development)

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11 pages, 330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Affiliate Stigma in Caregivers of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The Roles of Stress-Coping Orientations and Parental Child-Rearing Styles

by Chih-Cheng Chang, Yu-Min Chen, Ray C. Hsiao, Wen-Jiun Chou and Cheng-Fang Yen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 9004; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179004 - 26 Aug 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2859

Abstract

Affiliate stigma may increase the risks of negative parenting and psychological and depressive problems in caregivers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Evaluating affiliate stigma and determining how to reduce it are crucial to promoting mental health in caregivers and their children with ADHD. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of stress-coping orientations and parental child-rearing styles with the risk of high affiliate stigma in caregivers of children with ADHD in Taiwan. Affiliate stigma, stress-coping orientations, and parental child-rearing styles were assessed. The results of univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that caregivers’ gender, depressive symptoms, four orientations of stress coping, and two parenting styles, and children’s high severities of internalizing, externalizing, and ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with high affiliate stigma. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that after controlling for caregivers’ gender, depressive symptoms, and children’s severity of internalizing, externalizing, and ADHD symptoms, caregivers with high orientation of seeking social support were less likely to have high affiliate stigma than those with low orientation of seeking social support; the caregivers with high care and affection parenting were less likely to have high affiliate stigma than those with low care and affection parenting, whereas the caregivers with high overprotection parenting were more likely to have high affiliate stigma than those with low overprotection parenting. Intervention programs targeting caregiver affiliate stigma must consider various coping orientations and parental child-rearing styles in their approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development)

19 pages, 1581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Infant Emotional Mimicry of Strangers: Associations with Parent Emotional Mimicry, Parent-Infant Mutual Attention, and Parent Dispositional Affective Empathy

by Eliala A. Salvadori, Cristina Colonnesi, Heleen S. Vonk, Frans J. Oort and Evin Aktar

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(2), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020654 - 14 Jan 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6084

Abstract

Emotional mimicry, the tendency to automatically and spontaneously reproduce others’ facial expressions, characterizes human social interactions from infancy onwards. Yet, little is known about the factors modulating its development in the first year of life. This study investigated infant emotional mimicry and its association with parent emotional mimicry, parent-infant mutual attention, and parent dispositional affective empathy. One hundred and seventeen parent-infant dyads (51 six-month-olds, 66 twelve-month-olds) were observed during video presentation of strangers’ happy, sad, angry, and fearful faces. Infant and parent emotional mimicry (i.e., facial expressions valence-congruent to the video) and their mutual attention (i.e., simultaneous gaze at one another) were systematically coded second-by-second. Parent empathy was assessed via self-report. Path models indicated that infant mimicry of happy stimuli was positively and independently associated with parent mimicry and affective empathy, while infant mimicry of sad stimuli was related to longer parent-infant mutual attention. Findings provide new insights into infants’ and parents’ coordination of mimicry and attention during triadic contexts of interactions, endorsing the social-affiliative function of mimicry already present in infancy: emotional mimicry occurs as an automatic parent-infant shared behavior and early manifestation of empathy only when strangers’ emotional displays are positive, and thus perceived as affiliative. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Parenting in Typical and Atypical Child Development)

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