ABSTRACT
Due to the rapid growth in early socioemotional skills during the first three years of life, significant variations in socioemotional development begin early and increase with time. Family competences as sensitivity and mentalization, contribute to differences among children of the same age. This study examines whether the level of socioemotional skills is stable or changes between 12 and 30 months of age, and whether primary caregiver sensitivity and mentalization, as well as educational level, are associated with changes in the level of socioemotional skills. One hundred and three Chilean children were evaluated. The results showed a significant change in socioemotional level between 12 and 30 months. Primary caregivers' sensitivity was associated with socioemotional skills at 12 months of age, and caregivers' educational levels was the strongest predictor. At 30 months, caregivers' sensitivity and educational level did not contribute additional influence, and only child socioemotional skills reported at 12 months acted as a predictor. Results indicate that family competences contribute to infants' socioemotional development in the first year of life, which subsequently influences their later skills.
Subject(s)
Caregivers/psychology , Child Behavior/psychology , Child Development/physiology , Social Skills , Adult , Child , Chile , Female , Humans , Infant , MaleABSTRACT
La sensibilidad del adulto ha sido ampliamente estudiada en la primera infancia, por asociarse a un vínculo de apego seguro con el niño(a). Existen diferentes instrumentos de medición de este constructo, principalmente a través de métodos observacionales. La mayoría de ellos requiere un contexto experimental o extensa capacitación. El objetivo del presente estudio es crear un nuevo instrumento para medir la sensibilidad en adultos significativos para el niño(a) de 6 a 36 meses de edad, de manera simple, denominado Escala de Sensibilidad del Adulto, E.S.A. Se evalúa una breve interacción de juego libre, la cual es filmada y codificada. A continuación se presenta el proceso de construcción del instrumento, sus propiedades psicométricas, el análisis de concordancia interjuez y la confiabilidad. Se analiza una muestra de 99 díadas adulto significativo-niño(a) y se concluye que la E.S.A. presenta muy adecuadas propiedades psicométricas y puede ser utilizada en diferentes contextos familiar, educacional o instituciones.
The adult sensitivity has been extensively studied in early childhood, for it is associated with a secure attachment bond with the child. Different sensitivity measuring instruments have been developed, primarily through observational methods. Most of them require extensive training or a complex experimental s setting. The aim of this study is to develop a new instrument to assess sensitivity in adult caretaker of children aged 6 to 36 months, with few requirements for its use. The context of measurement involved a brief free-play interaction, which is filmed and encoded. The instrument was applied to a sample of 99 significant adult-child dyads and the videos analyzed with a rubric for each sensitivity indicator. Results show that the instrument has adequate psychometric properties and can be used in different familiar, educational or institutional contexts.
