Child Competence Criteria of Caucasian and Hispanic-American Mothers

Presentation Type

Poster/Portfolio

Presenter Major(s)

Psychology, German

Mentor Information

Wolfgang Friedlmeier, friedlmw@gvsu.edu

Department

Psychology

Location

Kirkhof Center KC17

Start Date

13-4-2011 1:00 PM

End Date

13-4-2011 2:00 PM

Keywords

Culture, Human Journey, Social Science

Abstract

This study aims to compare the criteria of children's competence between Hispanic (HA) and European American (EA) mothers. N = 35 EA and HA mothers of 2-year old children were interviewed. Based on the Criteria for Competence Interview mothers were asked to describe children between 2 and 5 years who are doing-well and not doing-well. The open answers were transcribed, translated and coded by three independent raters. Preliminary results point to six global characteristics in child competence: achievement, conformity, self-direction, sociability, well-being, and emotional adjustment. Furthermore, HA mothers seem to favor conformity more whereas EA mothers favor self-direction. Due to the strong increase of the Hispanic population over the last two decades, knowledge about ethnic differences becomes vital for professional caregivers so they become aware that children with different ethnic backgrounds may display unique behavior based on the varying expectations within their families.

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Apr 13th, 1:00 PM Apr 13th, 2:00 PM

Child Competence Criteria of Caucasian and Hispanic-American Mothers

Kirkhof Center KC17

This study aims to compare the criteria of children's competence between Hispanic (HA) and European American (EA) mothers. N = 35 EA and HA mothers of 2-year old children were interviewed. Based on the Criteria for Competence Interview mothers were asked to describe children between 2 and 5 years who are doing-well and not doing-well. The open answers were transcribed, translated and coded by three independent raters. Preliminary results point to six global characteristics in child competence: achievement, conformity, self-direction, sociability, well-being, and emotional adjustment. Furthermore, HA mothers seem to favor conformity more whereas EA mothers favor self-direction. Due to the strong increase of the Hispanic population over the last two decades, knowledge about ethnic differences becomes vital for professional caregivers so they become aware that children with different ethnic backgrounds may display unique behavior based on the varying expectations within their families.