Parenting behavior and executive function in children with Down syndrome

Parenting behaviors have an important influence on child development, and recent work has demonstrated the specific effects of parenting on the development of executive function (EF) abilities. Although these associations have been examined in typically developing children, the relationship between parent-child interaction and EF abilities has yet to be examined in dyads where the child has a diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS). The current study examined the differences in parenting behaviors between DS dyads and dyads with TD children matched on non-verbal mental age. DS dyads (n= 44) and TD dyads (n=29) participated in the Parent-Child Challenge Task to assess behaviors of both the parent and child during a challenging problem-solving task. Parent directive and teaching behaviors were coded, along with child compliance and noncompliance. Child participants completed the pony/gator task, a laboratory measure of inhibition and working memory. Parents also completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool (BRIEF-P), a proxy-report measure of EF. Results showed a difference in parenting behavior between DS dyads and TD dyads. Frequencies of parenting behaviors in DS were also related to both the pony/gator laboratory measure and the Inhibitory Self-Control index raw scores on the BRIEF-P. The findings indicate a unique pattern of association between parent behaviors and EF in DS. The implications for parent training and intervention are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Human Development and Family Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Authors dc:creator

• Schworer, Emily, author
• Fidler, Deborah, advisor
• Daunhauer, Lisa, committee member
• Sample, Pat, committee member

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018480

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/183874