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Family-Level Factors Affecting Social and Academic Competence of African American Children

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Abstract

Background

Research shows children’s life trajectories and outcomes are strongly influenced by factors affecting development of social and academic competence that also interact with racial disparities in academic settings. Given the importance of social and academic competencies, identifying factors that promote these competencies among African American children is critical to their success over the life course.

Objective

This study examines a socioeconomically diverse sample of African American children to determine whether family-level factors promote and protect social and academic competence.

Method

We analyze longitudinal data from a convenience sample of 97 African American children (54 girls, 43 boys) and their families who participated in a larger study of social and academic development. We analyze 2 waves of data collected when children were 7 and 10 years old.

Results

A series of 2-level, random-intercept, fixed-effects models show social competence is positively affected by quality of parent–child relationships, positive parenting practices, low parental stress, and routine family home environment. Similarly, academic competence is positively affected by low parental stress and family social support.

Conclusions

Study findings fill a critical knowledge gap regarding predictors of social and academic competence of African American children from various socioeconomic strata. Potential avenues for intervention are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Grant (MH 58144). The authors thank the parents and children who have repeatedly given their time and effort to participate in this research and are grateful to the entire RIGHT Track staff for their help collecting, entering, and coding data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402-6170, USA

    Tyreasa Washington

  2. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA

    Susan D. Calkins & Jessica M. Dollar

  3. School of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA

    Jeffrey D. Labban

  4. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA

    Susan P. Keane

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  1. Tyreasa Washington
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Correspondence to Tyreasa Washington.

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Washington, T., Calkins, S.D., Labban, J.D. et al. Family-Level Factors Affecting Social and Academic Competence of African American Children. Child Youth Care Forum 49, 383–407 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-019-09533-5

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