Multilevel Modeling of Individual and Familial Factors Associated With Children's Growth in Self-Regulation

• In Event: Roundtable Session 22
  In Roundtable Session: Young Children's Self-Regulation and Executive Function

Abstract

Self-regulation has been proposed as an important means of promoting school readiness and achievement success. The aim of this study was to examine the growth trajectories of self-regulation as well as individual and contextual factors that may contribute to children’s self-regulation abilities. Five waves of data drawn from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999 were used and longitudinal multilevel analyses were conducted. Results indicated that there were individual differences in both children’s initial levels and growth rates of self-regulation. Boys, children living in poverty, children whose parents had lower education, and children with racial/ethnic minority status were more likely to suffer self-regulation struggles. The effect of harsh parenting (small but positive) on self-regulation needs further studies.

Authors

• Jing Yu, University of Maryland - Baltimore County

• Shuyan Sun, University of Maryland - Baltimore County