Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia
BackgroundCaregiver sensitivity is associated with positive child outcomes, and improving sensitivity is often the aim of parenting-directed interventions. However, sensitivity was conceptualized in Western cultures, and its application in populations with different backgrounds is still limited.Obje...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1163773/full |
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| author | Maria Spinelli Emanuele Preti Temsegen Tadele Kassa Moges Ayele Asale Mulat Asnake Goshu Tigist Wuhib Tsega Abebaw Minaye Gezie Mirco Fasolo Judi Mesman |
| author_facet | Maria Spinelli Emanuele Preti Temsegen Tadele Kassa Moges Ayele Asale Mulat Asnake Goshu Tigist Wuhib Tsega Abebaw Minaye Gezie Mirco Fasolo Judi Mesman |
| author_sort | Maria Spinelli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundCaregiver sensitivity is associated with positive child outcomes, and improving sensitivity is often the aim of parenting-directed interventions. However, sensitivity was conceptualized in Western cultures, and its application in populations with different backgrounds is still limited.ObjectiveThis study aimed to foster a contextualized cultural understanding of the meaning and nature of sensitivity by assessing the possibility of evaluating sensitivity in a low-income population living in Ethiopia and describing the nature of (in)sensitive parenting. Moreover, the associations between sensitivity and discipline, the quality of the environment, and individual characteristics were explored.MethodsParental sensitivity was coded on naturalistic video-recorded observations of free interactions between 25 female primary caregivers and their children. Caregivers completed questionnaires on discipline strategies and the level of satisfaction with the environment (access to basic needs, quality of house condition, community and family support, quality of learning opportunities, and working conditions).ResultsThe assessment of sensitivity in this population was possible, with caregivers showing the full range of sensitivity levels. A description of manifestations of sensitivity in this population is provided. A K-means cluster analysis evidenced that high sensitivity was associated with high satisfaction regarding housing conditions and family environment. No association between sensitivity and discipline emerged.ConclusionThe findings show the feasibility of assessing sensitivity in this sample. The descriptions of observed behaviors contribute to understanding culturally specific aspects of sensitivity to consider when assessing sensitivity in similar populations. The study provides considerations and guidelines to inform the structure of culturally-based interventions to promote sensitive parenting in similar cultural and socioeconomic situations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:53:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9c0ad267f8243a28f269cec9bfef229 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:53:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9c0ad267f8243a28f269cec9bfef2292023-04-26T05:01:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-04-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.11637731163773Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in EthiopiaMaria Spinelli0Emanuele Preti1Temsegen Tadele Kassa2Moges Ayele Asale3Mulat Asnake Goshu4Tigist Wuhib Tsega5Abebaw Minaye Gezie6Mirco Fasolo7Judi Mesman8Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, ItalyIntegrated Family Services Organization (IFSO), Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSchool of Psychology, College of Education and Behavioral Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSchool of Psychology, College of Education and Behavioral Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSchool of Psychology, College of Education and Behavioral Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSchool of Psychology, College of Education and Behavioral Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, ItalyFaculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, NetherlandsBackgroundCaregiver sensitivity is associated with positive child outcomes, and improving sensitivity is often the aim of parenting-directed interventions. However, sensitivity was conceptualized in Western cultures, and its application in populations with different backgrounds is still limited.ObjectiveThis study aimed to foster a contextualized cultural understanding of the meaning and nature of sensitivity by assessing the possibility of evaluating sensitivity in a low-income population living in Ethiopia and describing the nature of (in)sensitive parenting. Moreover, the associations between sensitivity and discipline, the quality of the environment, and individual characteristics were explored.MethodsParental sensitivity was coded on naturalistic video-recorded observations of free interactions between 25 female primary caregivers and their children. Caregivers completed questionnaires on discipline strategies and the level of satisfaction with the environment (access to basic needs, quality of house condition, community and family support, quality of learning opportunities, and working conditions).ResultsThe assessment of sensitivity in this population was possible, with caregivers showing the full range of sensitivity levels. A description of manifestations of sensitivity in this population is provided. A K-means cluster analysis evidenced that high sensitivity was associated with high satisfaction regarding housing conditions and family environment. No association between sensitivity and discipline emerged.ConclusionThe findings show the feasibility of assessing sensitivity in this sample. The descriptions of observed behaviors contribute to understanding culturally specific aspects of sensitivity to consider when assessing sensitivity in similar populations. The study provides considerations and guidelines to inform the structure of culturally-based interventions to promote sensitive parenting in similar cultural and socioeconomic situations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1163773/fullsensitivitylow-income familiesdisciplineEthiopiacaregiver–child interaction |
| spellingShingle | Maria Spinelli Emanuele Preti Temsegen Tadele Kassa Moges Ayele Asale Mulat Asnake Goshu Tigist Wuhib Tsega Abebaw Minaye Gezie Mirco Fasolo Judi Mesman Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia Frontiers in Psychology sensitivity low-income families discipline Ethiopia caregiver–child interaction |
| title | Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia |
| title_full | Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia |
| title_short | Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia |
| title_sort | cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low income caregivers in ethiopia |
| topic | sensitivity low-income families discipline Ethiopia caregiver–child interaction |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1163773/full |
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