Hendry, Alexandra, Gibson, Shannon P., Davies, Catherine, Gliga, Teodora, McGillion, Michelle L. and Gonzalez‐Gomez, Nayeli (2022) Not all babies are in the same boat : exploring the effects of socioeconomic status, parental attitudes, and activities during the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic on early Executive Functions. Infancy, 27 (3). pp. 555-581. doi:10.1111/infa.12460 ISSN 1532-7078.

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Abstract

Early executive functions (EFs) lay the foundations for academic and social outcomes. In this parent-report study of 575 UK-based 8- to 36 month olds (218 followed longitudinally), we investigate how variation in the home environment before and during the 2020 pandemic relates to infants’ emerging EFs. Parent-infant enriching activities were positively associated with infant Cognitive Executive Function (CEF) (encompassing inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility). During the most-restrictive UK lockdown—but not subsequently—socioeconomic status (SES) was positively associated with levels of parent-infant enriching activities. Parents who regard fostering early learning, affection, and attachment as important were more likely to engage in parent-infant enriching activities, yet there was no significant pathway from parental attitudes or SES to CEF via activities. Infant screen use was negatively associated with CEF and Regulation. Screen use fully mediated the effect of SES on CEF, and partially mediated the effect of SES on regulation. Parental attitudes toward early learning, affection, and attachment did not significantly influence screen use. These results indicate that although parental attitudes influence the development of early EFs, interventions targeting attitudes as a means of increasing enriching activities, and thus EF are likely to be less effective than reducing barriers to engaging in enriching activities.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Executive functions (Neuropsychology), Cognition -- Research, COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- , Child development, Equality -- Health aspects, Social classes -- Health aspects
Journal or Publication Title:	Infancy
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1532-7078
Official Date:	May 2022
Dates:	Date Event May 2022 Published 31 January 2022 Available 2 January 2022 Accepted 26 June 2021 Submitted
Volume:	27
Number:	3
Page Range:	pp. 555-581
DOI:	10.1111/infa.12460
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit:	3 March 2022
Date of first compliant Open Access:	15 March 2022
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:	Project/Grant ID RIOXX Funder Name Funder ID ES/V004085/1 UK Research and Innovation http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100014013 NIHR300880 [NIHR] National Institute for Health Research http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000272

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