Identifying Patterns and Disparities in Early Childhood Social-Emotional Development: A National Perspective

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Social-Emotional Development (Table 6)

Abstract

This population-based project aims to enhance our understanding of the diverse nature of social-emotional development and investigate demographic disparities among a nationally representative sample of children. Utilizing data from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (2021 NSCH), the study identified four distinct social-emotional profiles, including Adaptive, Average, Moderate-need, and High-need, using latent profile analysis. Further examination revealed significant demographic differences within each profile, with socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, disabilities, poverty, and parent education found to be associated with distinct subgroups across the social-emotional profiles. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of social-emotional development, offering crucial insights for researchers and practitioners to better support the unique needs of children in early childhood.

Authors

• Yaoying Xu, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Chin-Chih Chen, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Yuyan Xia, University of Kentucky

• Jamie L. Cage, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Fa Zhang, Open University of China