Executive function (EF), a set of neurocognitive processes, is central to students’ emotional and behavioral well-being. Despite students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) being at risk for negative long-term outcomes, there is a paucity of EF research with students at risk for EBD in early elementary school, an important identification and intervention period. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional latent profile analysis with a sample of 1,154 kindergarteners and first graders identified as at risk for EBD to determine whether unique EF profiles existed and the extent to which profile membership was related to distinct patterns of functioning. Results indicated a theoretically supported, three-profile solution of mildly, moderately, and clinically at-risk EF profiles. Differences between EF profiles were noted such that students with moderately and clinically at-risk EF profiles demonstrated more problematic behaviors, less social competence, and greater language difficulties. We discuss implications for early identification, intervention efforts, and future research.

The purpose of this study was to examine parent-child relationship as a moderator of the association between family educational involvement and the social skills of preschoolers. A total of 4,938 children (M = 5.09-years-old, SD = 0.81) were sampled from 18 preschools in Hebei province, China, and their parents completed a survey packet to collect demographic information, as well as ratings of parental involvement, relationships with their children, and child social skill development. The results of multivariate regression analysis suggested that: (1) both home-based involvement and home-school conferencing could significantly predict preschoolers’ social skills, (2) there was stronger evidence for a relationship of home-based involvement and preschoolers’ social skills, (3) closeness in parent-child relationship moderated the path from home-based involvement to preschoolers’ social skills, and (4) there was no interactive effect between family educational involvement and parent-child conflict. These findings highlight the significance of the joint influences of family educational involvement and parent-child relationship in shaping children’s social skills. The impact of home-based involvement was boosted in the context of a close parent-child relationship.

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Early identification of executive dysfunction and timely school-based intervention efforts are critical for students at risk for problematic behaviors during early elementary school. The original Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF) was designed to measure real-world behavioral manifestations of executive functioning, neurocognitive processes critical for school success. With the updated BRIEF-2, independent validation is needed with kindergarten and first grade students at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders. Thus, using item level analyses, we examined the factor structure of the BRIEF-2 Teacher Rating form with 1,112 students. Results indicated little evidence for the original three-index model and supported a modified two-index model, with a Cognitive Regulation Index and an overall Behavior–Emotion Regulation Index. Criterion related validity indicated positive relationships with performance-based executive functioning (Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders) and later internalizing and externalizing behaviors. We discuss implications of findings for early identification and school-based intervention efforts, as well as future research.

We describe the development and validation of the Social-Emotional Teaching Practices Questionnaire-Chinese (SETP-C), a self-report instrument designed to gather information about Chinese preschool teachers’ implementation of social-emotional practices. Initially (study 1), 262 items for the SETP-C were generated. Content validation of these items was conducted separately with Chinese practice experts, research experts, and preschool teachers. Significant revisions were made to items based on theoretical evidence and empirical findings from initial content validation activities, which led to a 70-item version of the SETP-C. In study 2, preliminary psychometric integrity evidence and item characteristics of the SETP-C were gathered based on the data from a sample of 1,599 Chinese preschool teacher respondents. Results from confirmatory factor analyses suggested a seven-factor measurement model, and high internal consistency score reliability was documented for each dimension of the SETP-C. Results of item response theory graded response models further indicated adequate psychometric properties at the item level.