Perception and Parenting Behavior of Thai and Chinese Parents in Promoting Child Development, Nutrition and Emotional Quotient of Early Child.

Abstract

This study was an analytic and cross - sectional study with 3 objectives as 1) comparing child development, nutritional status and emotional quotient (EQ) of early child between Thai and Chinese children, 2) studying parenting behavior for early child and perception of child development promotion, nutritional status and emotional quotient (EQ) of Thai and Chinese parents, and 3) comparing parenting perception and behavior in promoting early child development affecting child development, nutritional status and emotional quotient (EQ) between Thai and Chinese parents. The study populations were 264 parents of early child aged 3 - 5 years 11 months 29 days of which 126 were Thais and 138 were Chinese. Their children studied in Child Development Centers in Nong Bua Lamphu sub-district, Chai Prakarn district of Chiang Mai. The data were collected during May - July 2019 via simple chart note and Developmental Surveillance and Promotion Manual (DSPM) to nutritional , using growth chart for children aged 2 - 5 years and emotional quotient of children aged 3 - 5 years (short edition) for parents and guardians. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. The relationship of perception and parenting behavior of Thai and Chinese parents is analyzed by Chi-square.

The study results for comparing child development, nutritional status and emotional quotient (EQ) of early child between Thai and Chinese children found that Child development level had a statistical significant relationship (P < 0.001), the overall nutritional had a statistical significant relationship (P < 0.001), and had a statistical significant relationship to degree emotional quotient status with 3 criteria; goodness, smartness and happiness (P < 0.001).

The study result showed that the overall a parenting behavior for early child and perception of child development promotion, nutritional status and emotional quotient (EQ) of Thai and Chinese parents had a statistical significant relationship (P < 0.001).

Perception of child development promotion, nutritional status and emotional quotient (EQ) of Thai and Chinese parents had a statistical significant relationship (P < 0.001).

The study result for comparing parenting perception and behavior in promoting early child development affecting child development, nutritional status and emotional quotient (EQ) between Thai and Chinese parents showed that the overall relationship of parenting perception and behavior of Thai parents had a statistical significant relationship to age-appropriate development (P < 0.05), while Chinese parents had a statistical significant relationship with suspected delayed development (P < 0.01). Parenting perception and behavior of Thai parents has no statistical significant relationship to nutritional status comparing with weight and height of early child (P > 0.05), while Chinese parents had a statistical significant relationship to nutritional status comparing with weight and height of early child (P < 0.05). Parenting perception and behavior of Thai parents had no statistical significant relationship to emotional quotient of early child aged 3-5 years old (P < 0.05), while parenting behavior of Chinese parents also has a statistical significant relationship to emotional quotient of early child aged 3-5 years old (P < 0.05). Therefore, there should be support for parents to be aware of the promotion of development and behavior of early childhood appropriate