Family characteristics of preschool social competence among black children in a Head Start program

Abstract

Social competence has been suggested to serve a protective function in emotional functioning and may compensate for some deleterious experiences. This study found that adherence to family routines and older fathers were significant predictors of preschool social competence. The subjects were 91 black children enrolled in a metropolitan Head Start program who were rated for social competence by their teachers.

Social-emotional behaviors in African-American toddlers : the role of risk and protective factors.

“…These parenting strategies have been shown to be important for both majority and minority families (Brody & Flor, 1997;Jackson, et aI., 2000;Keltner, 1990).…”

“…In a study of AfricanAmerican preschoolers, Keltner (1990) found increased cooperation and compliance associated with reports of increased family routines. In a similar correlational study with children between 6 and 9 years of age, Brody and Flor (1997) found that home environments with more family routines were associated with reduced internalizing behaviors.…”

“…Family routines ensure predictability, consistency and organization in the home environment (Jensen, James, Boyce, & Hartnett, 1983;Keltner, 1990). Family routines have been defined as repetitive behaviors that involve two or more family members that occur with predictable regularity.…”

“…Parenting structure has been shown to act as a protective factor in low-income African-American families (Brody & Plor, 1997;Keltner, 1990). In a study of AfricanAmerican preschoolers, Keltner (1990) found increased cooperation and compliance associated with reports of increased family routines.…”

“…This is an area of considerable interest from a range of perspectives. Research shows that some family characteristics appear to act as protective factors for the acquisition of social-emotional competence and decrease in social-emotional problems in AfricanAmerican toddlers (Jackson, Brooks-Gunn, Huang, & Glassman, 2000;Keltner, 1990).…”