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.
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.