Temperament Characteristics of Children in Residential Care and Perceived Acceptance/Rejection and Style of Discipline Used by Care Workers
2024

Temperament and Care in Residential Settings

Sample size: 144 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Gaitán Sabina D., Fernández-Sánchez Joanna, Fernández-Baena Francisco Javier, Wallace Agustín, Salas María D.

Primary Institution: Universidad de Málaga

Hypothesis

How do children's temperament characteristics relate to the acceptance/rejection and discipline styles of their caregivers in residential care?

Conclusion

Children in residential care perceive more warmth and communication from caregivers than criticism and rejection, and their temperament influences the discipline styles used by caregivers.

Supporting Evidence

  • Children perceived more warmth/communication than criticism/rejection.
  • Temperamental traits explained part of the variability in caregivers' discipline styles.
  • Inductive discipline style was most frequently perceived by children.
  • Fear was positively related to warmth/communication and inductive style.

Takeaway

This study shows that kids in care homes feel more loved than criticized, and their personalities can change how caregivers treat them.

Methodology

The study used questionnaires to assess temperament, self-regulation, and perceptions of caregiver relationships among 144 children in residential care.

Potential Biases

Potential informant bias due to reliance on children's perceptions of caregiver behavior.

Limitations

The study had a limited sample size and relied on self-reported measures, which may introduce bias.

Participant Demographics

Children aged 9-16 years, with 42.6% boys.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/bs14121239

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