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Predictors of maternal language to infants during a picture book task in the home: Family SES, child characteristics and the parenting environment.

J Appl Dev Psychol. 2008;29(3):213-226

Authors: Vernon-Feagans L, Pancsofar N, Willoughby M, Odom E, Quade A, Cox M,

This study investigated the contribution of child characteristics and parenting environment to the relationship between family SES/demographic characteristics and maternal language to infants.1157 children were drawn from a representative sample of 1292 infants born to mothers in rural Appalachian counties and rural counties in southern minority U.S. communities. Mothers and their 6-8 month old babies were videotaped at home while talking about a wordless picture book. Mothers’ language output and complexity were analyzed. Child temperament, age, and parenting environment (knowledge of child development and observed mother-child engagement) were predictors of maternal language. Furthermore, their inclusion reduced the magnitude of the association between demographic characteristics and maternal language. Tests of mediation suggested that the parenting environment partially mediates the relationship between SES/demographic characteristics and maternal language. Findings are discussed with respect to identifying proximal processes that explain how SES may exert its influence on the language of young children.

PMID: 18618023 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Validity and reliability of a home environment inventory for physical activity and media equipment.

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2008 Apr 29;5(1):24

Authors: Sirard JR, Nelson MC, Pereira MA, Lytle LA

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Little is known about how the home environmental supports physical activity and screen media usage. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the reliability and validity of a self-report instrument to comprehensively reflect the availability and accessibility of physical activity and screen media equipment in the home environment. METHODS: Ten families participated in the initial field testing to provide feedback for instrument development. Thirty one adult participants, each of whom had at least one child 10-17 years old, completed two Physical Activity and Media Inventory (PAMI) instruments. The first PAMI was completed simultaneously, but independently, with a research assistant to assess validity. A second PAMI was completed by the participant one week later to assess reliability. RESULTS: The adult participants were mostly mothers/female guardians, mean age 38+/-7.2 years, mostly Caucasian (52%), college educated (65%), living in single family homes (74%). Test-retest reliability was acceptable to strong for all summary variables (physical activity equipment, ICC = 0.76 to 0.99; media equipment, ICC = 0.72 to 0.96). For validation, reports from participants and research assistants were strongly correlated (physical activity, 0.67 to 0.98; media, 0.79 to 0.96). Compared to participants, research assistants reported a greater percentage of physical activity equipment as ‘in plain view and easy to get to’ and a smaller percentage of items as’put away and difficult to get to’. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate strong evidence for the reliability and validity of the variables calculated from the PAMI. This self report inventory may be useful in assessing the availability of physical activity and screen media equipment in the home environment and could be used in conjunction with other home assessment tools (food availability, parenting styles and feeding practices) to identify obesogenic home environments.

PMID: 18445280 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Top 5 oral healthcare tips for pregnant moms. Protect your teeth and your baby’s, too!

CDS Rev. 2008 May-Jun;101(3):27

Authors:

PMID: 18572822 [PubMed - in process]

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Understanding children’s sedentary behaviour: a qualitative study of the family home environment.

Health Educ Res. 2008 May 22;

Authors: Granich J, Rosenberg M, Knuiman M, Timperio A

Electronic media (EM) (television, electronic games and computer) use has been associated with overweight and obesity among children. Little is known about the time spent in sedentary behaviour (SB) among children within the family context. The aim of this study was to explore how the family home environment may influence children’s electronic-based SB. Focus groups and family interviews were conducted with 11- to 12-year old children (n = 54) and their parents (n = 38) using a semi-structured discussion guide. Transcripts were analysed using a thematic content approach. A brief self-completed questionnaire was also used to measure leisure behaviour and electronic devices at home. Children incorporated both sedentary and physical activities into their weekly routine. Factors influencing children’s EM use included parent and sibling modelling and reinforcement, personal cognitions, the physical home environment and household EM use rules and restrictions. Participants were not concerned about the excessive time children spent with EM. This under-recognition emerged as a personal influencing factor and was viewed as a major barrier to modifying children’s electronic-based SB. Efforts to reduce SB in children should focus on the influencing factors that reciprocally interact within the family home. An emphasis on increasing awareness about the risks associated with spending excessive time in screen-based activities should be a priority when developing intervention strategies aimed at modifying the time children spend in SB.

PMID: 18502732 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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