THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND SCIENTIFIC PARENTING BEHAVIORS OF INFANT AND TODDLER CAREGIVERS: EVIDENCE FROM YUNNAN PROVINCE, CHINA

Jun Liao

Abstract


This study analyzed how caregivers' socioeconomic status (SES) affects scientific parenting behaviors. 5,527 infant and toddler caregivers were surveyed. Results revealed significant SES-based differences: lower, lower-middle, and middle strata scored lower than the upper-middle stratum in total scientific parenting (F=4.192, p<0.01) and material/time provision dimension (F=4.895, p<0.01). Lower-middle and middle strata underperformed in the interpersonal interaction dimension (F=3.279, p<0.05), while the lower-middle stratum lagged in the encouragement and companionship dimension (F=3.227, p<0.05). Family SES positively correlated with total parenting scores and all three dimensions (interpersonal interaction, encouragement, material and time provision), serving as a significant predictor of parenting quality. The findings highlight the need for targeted policies to enhance scientific parenting guidance for disadvantaged families, particularly addressing lower-middle strata's deficits in interactive and emotional support and lower strata's resource limitations. Implementing tiered support programs could optimize early childhood development outcomes.

 

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Keywords


scientific parenting behaviors, infant and toddler caregivers, family socioeconomic status, social stratification, Yunnan Province

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v12i6.6015

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