Microsoft PowerPoint - Felimban_Yadav_ASQ_2022.pptx

Developmental and Risk Status of Toddlers from Arab American Families: What We Know about Families Today?

Huda Felimban, Assistant Professor, of Special Education, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Asha Yadav, Doctoral Candidate, Early Intervention, University of Oregon
College of Education

Background

Arabic-speaking families are a fast-growing community in America. However, little research has been done to study the developmental outcomes of children growing up in Arabic-American families. Therefore, this study investigates the developmental and risk status of 191 children, aged 18-36 months from Arab-American families. We examine the relationship between environmental risk factors such as family income and years spent in the USA with children’s developmental scores and parental stress. Given the underrepresentation of Arabic-American families and children in early childhood research, this study has practical implications for researchers and practitioners.

Research Questions

  1. What is the overall developmental status of children aged 18 to 36 months raised in Arabic-American families? (Quantitative)
  2. Are parents of toddlers aged 18 to 36 months old from AAC experiencing typical or heightened levels of parenting stress? (Quantitative)
  3. What strategies do parents use to preserve their native culture and the challenges they face as they raise their children? (Qualitative)
  4. What are parents’ perspectives on the availability of services and support to...

Data analysis

Descriptive analysis was conducted to summarize the parental and child data.
We conducted a mixed-method study comprising a survey questionnaire completed by 191 families and semi-structured interviews with 17 families. Participants were recruited using non-probability purposive sampling and represented 11 Arab-speaking countries. The survey questionnaire was composed of overall developmental screening using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ3:AR), the relative stress in the parent-child relationship using the Parental Stress Inventory: Short Form -Arabic (PSI: SF -AR), and demographic information. The inclusion criteria were:
(a) a family with at least one non-US-born parent;
(b) the immigrant parent’s country of origin is an Arabic-speaking country, and
(c) families with children aged 18 to 36-months-old.

Results

Characteristic n(%)
Gender
Female 110(57.6)
Male 81(42.4)
Has diagnosis
Yes 11(5.8)
No 180(94.2)

Two-way between subject ANOVA in environmental factors and ASQ: AR Scores

Source df SS MS F
Income 5 54.46 10.89 1.91
Years spent in US 2 1.87 0.93 0.16
Income * Years 10 96.24 9.62 1.69
Error 173 985.03 5.69
Total 190 1137.60

There was no significant effect of family income and years spent in the US on children’s ASQ scores. There was insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis, F(10, 173)=1.69, p>.05.

Two-way between subject ANOVA in environmental factors and parental stress

Source df SS MS
Income 5 2.91 0.58
Years spent in US 2 0.43 0.02
Income * Years 10 6.54 0.65
Error 173 87.02 0.50
Total 190 96.90

There was no significant effect of family income and years spent in the US on Arabic-American community parental stress. There was insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis, F(10, 173)=1.30, p>.05.

Experience raising children Service access and use Challenges raising children in US Strategies to prevent Arabic culture
Sub-themes Positive (64%) Negative (36%) Education&health (41%) Lack of support (65%) Islamic&cultural teaching (30%)
Entertainment (26%) Social support (22%) No discrimination (100%) Cultural&language barrier (94%) Community build (32%) Language (29%)

Discussion