Predictors of socio-emotional functioning in childhood: longitudinal evidence
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Date
2022-05-05
Authors
MacSweeney-Mahon, Shane
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
The thesis comprises two research papers, a systematic review and major research project.
Systematic review abstract:
Behavioral problems in childhood are associated with detrimental child and adolescent outcomes, including juvenile delinquency, poor academic performance, higher rates of alcohol abuse, and reduced overall quality of life. Father involvement is an important component of the father-child relationship that describes the various ways in which fathers actively participate in their children’s lives. However, evidence that higher father involvement reduces the risk of behavioral problems in children is mixed, has often been reliant on cross-sectional data, has provided limited focus on behavioral outcomes, and has often excluded older children. The current systematic review focused on longitudinal evidence regarding father involvement and subsequent behavioral outcomes in children aged 0-17 years. In addition, maternal involvement was included as a control or comparator variable. Searches were conducted across Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, and 16 studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, findings provided evidence that father involvement positively contributes to children’s behavioral outcomes. The impact of father involvement appeared to be greatest in studies examining play or engagement in positive social activities. Limited use of validated father involvement measures and conceptual models are highlighted as important methodological considerations for future research.
Major research project abstract:
Early attachment and maternal mental health have been reliably posited as predictors of socio-emotional outcomes in children. However, there is a need for further longitudinal research to examine the influence of these variables at multiple stages throughout infancy and early childhood. The current study utilized a longitudinal design to evaluate the predictive significance of these associations from 4 months to 48 months, relative to other demographic, maternal and child factors in a community sample of mothers (N = 124). Secondary data was obtained from three previous waves of the ongoing BabySMART study. The current study recruited participants for a fourth wave of data collection using an online survey. Preliminary bivariate analyses suggested that indicators of maternal mental health and overall health-related quality of life (when children were aged 4, 18 and 48 months) and mother-child closeness and conflict (at 48 months) were significantly associated with child socio-emotional problems at 48 months. Aspects of child cognitive development (only at four months) were also significantly associated with socio-emotional problems at 48 months. Further hierarchical regression models confirmed the particular significance of mother-child relationship and maternal mental and physical health factors at four months for predicting child socio-emotional outcomes at 48 months. Clinical implications and future research in this field are discussed.
Description
Keywords
Attachment , Maternal mental health , Child socio-emotional functioning , Longitudinal research , Father involvement , Mother involvement , Child behavior
Citation
MacSweeney-Mahon, S. 2022. Predictors of socio-emotional functioning in childhood: longitudinal evidence. DClinPsych Thesis, University College Cork.