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Parental Perception of Child Vulnerability in Parents of Young Children

Leire Gordo1, Leire Iriarte Elejalde1, Ana Martínez-Pampliega1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain.

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|March 3, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Parental perception of child vulnerability negatively impacts socioemotional development. However, parental interest and curiosity can positively influence development, even with health concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Psychology
  • Parent-Child Interaction

Background:

  • Parental perception of child vulnerability (PPCV) is linked to negative socioemotional outcomes.
  • Limited research exists on PPCV's impact on children without prior serious illness.
  • Understanding these perceptions is crucial for early childhood development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between PPCV and children's socioemotional development.
  • To investigate direct and indirect associations via parental reflective functioning and competence.
  • To explore how parental concerns might influence child development.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 433 mothers and 113 fathers.
  • Participants were parents of infants aged 0-3 years.
  • Utilized measures of PPCV, socioemotional development, parental reflective functioning, and parental competence.

Main Results:

  • PPCV showed a negative association with children's socioemotional development.
  • Indirect positive relationships were found through parental reflective functioning (Interest and Curiosity) and parental competence.
  • Parental engagement and understanding mediate the impact of health concerns.

Conclusions:

  • Parental perception of child vulnerability can negatively affect socioemotional development.
  • Increased parental interest and curiosity can buffer negative effects, promoting development.
  • Interventions focusing on parental reflective functioning may support child socioemotional well-being.
Abstract

Keywords:
parental competenceparental perception of child vulnerabilityparental reflective functioningsocioemotional development

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