Early Childhood Research Quarterly
Volume 23, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 193-212

Socioeconomic status, parental investments, and the cognitive and behavioral outcomes of low-income children from immigrant and native households (Article)

Mistry R.S.* , Biesanz J.C. , Chien N. , Howes C. , Benner A.D.
  • a Department of Education, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951521, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1521, United States
  • b Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
  • c Department of Education, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • d Department of Education, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • e Department of Education, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The current study examines the effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on preschool children's cognitive and behavioral outcomes and if these relations are mediated by the quality of children's home environment and moderated by family nativity status. Data come from 1459 low-income families (n = 257 and 1202 immigrant and native families, respectively). Results indicated that among both immigrant and native households, maternal education, as compared to household income or welfare receipt, was the strongest predictor of a composite of SES. Path analyses estimated direct and indirect effects of SES and revealed greater similarity than difference in the processes by which SES influences immigrant and native children's preschool outcomes. Language/literacy stimulation and maternal supportiveness mediated the relations of SES to children's cognitive outcomes among both immigrant and native families. In contrast, parenting stress mediated the effects of SES on children's aggressive behavior among native, but not immigrant, households.

Author Keywords

immigrant families Preschool outcomes SES family processes poverty

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-43649097016&doi=10.1016%2fj.ecresq.2008.01.002&partnerID=40&md5=c27e4662d672ea69f3c54d8492d12393
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2008.01.002
ISSN: 08852006
Cited by: 113
Original Language: English