Alejandra Contreras de Solorzano (University of Victoria)

Presenter: Alejandra Contreras de Solorzano (University of Victoria)

Title: Parenting and the intergenerational transmission of executive function

Abstract:

Individual differences in executive function (EF) predict many developmental outcomes such as social understanding, academic achievement, and mental health. Therefore, factors that influence intraindividual differences in children’s EF have received considerable attention. Interestingly previous studies have shown an association between parental EF and children’s EF, suggesting that EF is intergenerationally transmitted. Intergenerational transmission of EF has been explained as being due to genetic processes, social processes, or the interplay between both. Given the crucial role parents play on children’s early development, research has largely focused on the role of parenting practices have in children’s EF. However, the intergenerational transmission of EF has not received sufficient attention in the literature, and research on the relationship between parent EF and parenting practices in the transmission of EF is still limited. This talk aims to discuss two studies on intergenerational transmission of EF through parenting practices. Study 1 is a cross-sectional study on the role of autonomy support plays in the intergenerational transmission of EF. Study 2 is a longitudinal study that examined the roles of parental sensitivity and mind-mindedness in the intergenerational transmission of EF through a multi-method approach.

The talk will be in person in the Psychology Reading room, COR A228, from 3:00 – 4:30.