Author

Vikki Negron

Abstract

Social competence in children is correlated to their success in interacting with adults and peers throughout their life (McCabe, 1998). Social incompetence is associated with peer rejection, poor academic performance, grade retention, juvenile delinquency, school drop-out, and substance abuse (Ladd & Asher, 1990; McCabe, 1998; Ramsey & Ramsey, 1992). This study investigated the relationship between parental concerns about future expectations, child development, parent-child interaction, discipline and social competence in urban preschoolers 2.9-4.8 years of age who attended the Rochester Preschool Parent Program (RPPP). The Parental Questionnaire was used to measure parental concerns (PMHP, 1998). Social competence was measured by parent and teacher ratings on the Teacher-Child Rating Scale 2.1 (T-CRS), the Parent-Child Rating Scale (P-CRS), and the Child Observation Record (COR; High Scope Educational Foundation, 1992; Perkins & Hightower, 2000; PMHP, 1999). The Kruskal Wallis test and Pearson Product-moment correlations were conducted to investigate whether there was a relationship between parental concerns and teacher and parent ratings of social competence. The results of this study confirmed that parental concerns about their children's future are related to their perception of their children's social competence. Parental concerns about parent-child interaction, child development, and discipline were not related to their perception of their children's social competence. Teacher ratings of children's social competence were not related to the parental concerns previously stated. Although this investigation provided insight into the relationship between parental concern and children's social competence, the obtained evidence is largely descriptive and correlational in nature.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Child psychology--Family relationships; Child development--Family relationships; Education--Parent participation; Parent and child; Social skills in children

Publication Date

6-14-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Psychology (CLA)

Advisor

Costenbader, Virginia

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: BF723.P25 N447 2001

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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