Poster #47 - The Impact of Culture on Parenting and Development: A Review of Current Methodologies

• In Event: Poster Session 12

Abstract

Background: A child’s growth and development is influenced by a complex system of relationships, particularly with their parents. The quality of the parent-child relationship and parenting practices affect a child’s socioemotional, cognitive, and health outcomes (Frosch et al., 2021; Breland-Noble, 2014). Almost all aspects of parenting are informed by culture, including expectations, goals, values, and caring practices (Suizzo, 2007). Parents determine the child’s environment and culture, which influence development and contribute to a child’s mental health (Bornstein, 2013).
Purpose: Although literature exists regarding cultural differences in parenting, the research addressing the impact of culture on parenting styles, goals, and beliefs on child development is limited. Certain parenting and child development constructs are culturally bound. It is necessary to have a more precise measurement of “culture” and complex contextual variables that foster the understanding of these influences. However, there is limited knowledge about identifying and measuring complex variables like culture. We aim to summarize current literature regarding the influence of culture on parenting, examining methodologies and characteristics of studies carried out on the relationship between culture, parenting, and child development. To address this content area, this study reviews the methodologies of peer-reviewed publications (1980-2021) on the impact of culture on parenting and child development.
Description: A literature search was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection databases to retrieve studies with the search terms “culture and/or diversity”, “parenting”, and “child development”. Inclusion criteria were (1) studies that assess development in children aged between 6 and 18 years and examine parenting styles or practices in different cultural contexts; (2) articles published in English; (3) studies that analyze the relationship between parenting styles or practices, culture, and child development; and (4) studies that included a specific assessment or analysis plan for culture, parenting, and development. Exclusion criteria were (1) not having access to the full text; and (2) studies where no data were collected. The following data were extracted from each study: country of study, study type/design, sample size and description, methodologies, parenting assessment, culture assessment, child development assessment, primary results, and further recommendations.
Conclusions: Results reveal significant gaps in the extant research, particularly in understanding cultural approaches to parenting frameworks, goals, beliefs, and processes, and in developing more detailed methodologies to understand parenting and child development from different cultural standpoints. Additionally, understanding what “effective” and “normative” parenting processes are in ethnic minority populations and how these affect developmental outcomes warrant further investigation. Parenting and child outcome constructs may differ cross-culturally, leading to measurement and psychometric variations affecting research and program development. Further research is needed to develop inclusive parenting and child development measures that reflect both universal and culture-specific aspects of parenting in order to inform both scientific research and clinical applications. Because culture is a complex variable, we found significant limitations and little standardization on the methodology to measure it. Research is additionally needed to develop and standardize processes to assess complex cultural values and relationships.

Authors

• Ayesha Bhatia, University of New Mexico
  Presenting Author

• Isabella Blue Barnett-Green

• Molly Pylypciw, University of New Mexico

• Suzanne Vaccaro, University of New Mexico

• Sarah Jane Erickson, University of New Mexico