Relationship between family socioeconomic status and toddlers’ social-emotional development : the mediation effects of home rearing environment

Abstract

Background The development of children's social emotional ability is crucial for their future success. Increasing evidence suggests that families with low socioeconomic status negatively influence the development of children's social emotions, although the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. The home rearing environment is the primary setting that toddlers are exposed to in their early years, significantly impacting their emotional development. This environment may be affected by the family’s economic situation. Methods A total of 370 healthy toddlers aged 12 to 36 months were recruited through the Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Wuhan. Socio-economic status was assessed using parents' education level and family income. The home environment was measured using the Child Home Nurture Environment Scales. Toddlers’ social-emotional was measured using the 12 to 36 months toddler social emotional questionnaire. Results The mean age of the toddlers was 27.71 ± 7.76 months. Family socioeconomic status, home rearing environment, and social-emotion development were significantly correlated (P < 0.05). Family socioeconomic status did not have a direct predictive effect on toddlers' social-emotional development. However, the family nurturing environment played a significant mediating role between family socioeconomic status and toddlers’ social-emotional outcomes, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.467–0.643. Conclusions Socioeconomic status may affect the social-emotional development of young children through the family upbringing environment. Health care workers should provide training on parenting knowledge to foster a positive family upbringing environment and mitigate the negative impact of low socioeconomic status on young children's emotional development.