Longitudinal associations between executive function and positive parenting during early childhood and resilience, self-regulation, and behavioral problems in school-age children
Abstract Background Longitudinal studies of associations between executive function (EF) and parenting behaviors during early childhood and resilience, self-regulation, and behavioral problems in school-age children are scarce. This study aims to evaluate long-term associations between EF and parent...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-025-00875-8 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Longitudinal studies of associations between executive function (EF) and parenting behaviors during early childhood and resilience, self-regulation, and behavioral problems in school-age children are scarce. This study aims to evaluate long-term associations between EF and parenting behaviors during preschool and resilience, self-regulatory efficacy, and behavioral problems in 9-year-old children. Methods From February 2021-March 2022, 195 participants were enrolled from a larger longitudinal study conducted since age 6 months. Parents reported child EF difficulties and behavioral problems at ages 4, 6, and 9, as well as parenting behaviors at ages 4 and 6. Children reported resilience and self-regulatory efficacy at age 9. The relationships between these variables were analyzed using path analysis. Results Among 195 participants (51.3% female) with a median age of 108 months (interquartile range 108–109), EF difficulties at ages 4 and 6 exhibited direct and indirect relationships with lower resilience, reduced self-regulatory efficacy, and behavioral problems at age 9. Positive parenting at ages 4 and 6 were indirectly associated with better resilience, self-regulatory efficacy, and fewer behavioral problems at age 9, mediated by reduced EF difficulties and behavioral problems during preschool. Conclusions EF difficulties during preschool were correlated with decreased resilience, self-regulatory efficacy, and behavioral problems in school-age children. Interventions focusing on promoting EF and positive parenting during early childhood may alleviate behavioral problems and potentially enhance resilience and self-regulatory efficacy during school-age. |
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| ISSN: | 1753-2000 |