Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Not all babies are in the same boat: Exploring the effects of socioeconomic status, parental attitudes, and activities during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic on early Executive Functions.
Hendry, Alexandra; Gibson, Shannon P; Davies, Catherine; Gliga, Teodora; McGillion, Michelle; Gonzalez-Gomez, Nayeli.
  • Hendry A; Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
  • Gibson SP; Department of Psychology, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
  • Davies C; School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
  • Gliga T; School of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
  • McGillion M; Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
  • Gonzalez-Gomez N; Department of Psychology, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
Infancy ; 27(3): 555-581, 2022 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1662279
ABSTRACT
Early executive functions (EFs) lay the foundations for academic and social outcomes. In this parent-report study of 575 UK-based 8- to 36 month olds (218 followed longitudinally), we investigate how variation in the home environment before and during the 2020 pandemic relates to infants' emerging EFs. Parent-infant enriching activities were positively associated with infant Cognitive Executive Function (CEF) (encompassing inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility). During the most-restrictive UK lockdown-but not subsequently-socioeconomic status (SES) was positively associated with levels of parent-infant enriching activities. Parents who regard fostering early learning, affection, and attachment as important were more likely to engage in parent-infant enriching activities, yet there was no significant pathway from parental attitudes or SES to CEF via activities. Infant screen use was negatively associated with CEF and Regulation. Screen use fully mediated the effect of SES on CEF, and partially mediated the effect of SES on regulation. Parental attitudes toward early learning, affection, and attachment did not significantly influence screen use. These results indicate that although parental attitudes influence the development of early EFs, interventions targeting attitudes as a means of increasing enriching activities, and thus EF are likely to be less effective than reducing barriers to engaging in enriching activities.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Executive Function / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies Limits: Humans / Infant Language: English Journal: Infancy Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Infa.12460

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Executive Function / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies Limits: Humans / Infant Language: English Journal: Infancy Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Infa.12460