Influences of social connectedness on behaviour in young children: a longitudinal investigation using GUiNZ data research report

This research was funded by the Ministry of Social Development’s Children and Families’ Research Fund.

The Victoria University of Wellington researchers used data from the Growing Up in New Zealand study, New Zealand’s largest longitudinal study of contemporary child development. They sought to determine the relationship between family/whānau vulnerability and behavioural and developmental outcomes in children at 4.5 years, and asked if social connectedness (family connectedness and community connectedness) might act as protective factors for vulnerable children.

Key Findings

The study found that children of families that experienced higher levels of vulnerability (poverty, maternal depression etc) and instability in a relationship between parent partners or a change in main caregiver were more likely to exhibit higher levels of difficulties in childhood (eg getting into fights, experiencing anxiety) and lower levels of prosocial behaviours (eg being kind and considerate to others).

• The study found that children of families that experienced higher levels of vulnerability (eg poverty or maternal depression) and instability in a relationship between parent partners or a change in main caregiver were more likely to exhibit higher levels of difficulties in childhood (eg getting into fights, experiencing anxiety) and lower levels of prosocial behaviours (eg being kind and considerate to others).
• Data analyses showed that vulnerability before a child was even born boosted family stress and reduced perceived support two years later. This vulnerability was predictive in child outcomes at 4.5 years, namely increased problem behaviours and diminished prosocial behaviour.
• As expected, it was found that greater family connectedness (the degree to which a family is internally supportive and caring of one another), and community connectedness (albeit to a lesser degree) do act as protective factors that can blunt the ill effects of vulnerability and family/whānau instability leading to fewer problem behaviours in children.
• The results show that ‘social connectedness’ is a useful protective factor that supports healthy, functioning family/whanau, and encourages families/whānau to engage with community organisations to build social support networks and reduce family stress.
• Positive social bonds with others are good for parents, infants and young children, and set families on a course that is likely to benefit the whole whānau, as well as Aotearoa/New Zealand society in general.

The Ministry of Social Development funds Growing Up in New Zealand and administers and funds the Children and Families Research Fund.

Through the Children and Families’ Research Fund, $750,000 is made available each year for policy-relevant research projects using Growing Up in New Zealand data.

The views and interpretations in this report are those of the researchers and are not the official position of the Ministry of Social Development.