Bidirectional Associations Among Sensitive Parenting, Language Development, and Social Competence

Abstract

Rapid changes in language skills and social competence, both of which are linked to sensitive parenting, characterize early childhood. The present study examines bidirectional associations among mothers' sensitive parenting and children's language skills and social competence from 24 to 36 months in a community sample of 174 families. In addition, this study examines how these developmental pathways vary by child sex. Findings indicate stability across time in sensitive parenting, expressive language skills, and social competence, as well as positive main effects of sensitive parenting on expressive and receptive language skills for girls and boys. We find mixed evidence over time of reciprocal links between social competence and sensitive parenting. Further, boys' receptive language skills at 24 months uniquely contribute to increases in mothers' observed sensitive parenting from 24 to 36 months. These findings highlight the utility of applying transactional frameworks to the study of sex-based differences in early developmental processes.

Keywords: early childhood; language development; parenting; sex differences; social competence.

Figures

Figure 1

Standardized regression coefficients for path model including expressive communication for boys and girls with non-significant cross-lag paths trimmed. Note: * p < .05; ** p < .01, *** p < .001 χ2(3) = 12.17, p= .10, χ2/df = 1.71, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.06

Figure 2

Standardized regression coefficients for path model including receptive communication for girls with non-significant cross-lag paths trimmed. Note: * p < .05; ** p < .01, *** p < .001 χ2(6) = 11.02, p= .07, χ2/df = 1.83, CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.08

Figure 3

Standardized regression coefficients for path model including receptive communication for boys with non-significant cross-lag paths trimmed. Note: * p < .05; ** p < .01, *** p < .001 χ2(7) = 10.24, p= .18, χ2/df = 1.46, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.07