Center-based child care settings are a common form of non-parental child care for many families worldwide. However, according to earlier studies, children can experience stress when they attend... Show moreCenter-based child care settings are a common form of non-parental child care for many families worldwide. However, according to earlier studies, children can experience stress when they attend child care. The aim of the current dissertation was to elucidate the correlates of physiological and behavioral stress (especially around transitions) for young children (aged 0 – 4 years, with a specific focus on infants) and their parents in the context of center-based child care, and to examine whether and how we can support families with the aim of reducing stress. We did this by conducting a meta-analysis, a large-scale correlational study, and a small-scale intervention study combining questionnaires, observations, and physiological measures. Results showed that a significant part of children and parents experienced stress during and beyond the transition to center-based child care, irrespective of the quality of child care, and that several child (age and number of hours at child care) and parental (sensitivity and separation anxiety) factors were correlated. We also identified some clues as to what type of support can be helpful to assist families within this context, with the ultimate goal of promoting well-being in both young children and their parents. Show less
Vet, S.M. de; Vrijhof, C.I.; Veek, S.M.C. van der; Pieplenbosch, J.M.; van Bakel, H.J.A.; Vermeer, H.J. 2021
As a consequence of the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) child care facilities all over the world were temporarily closed to minimize the spread of the virus. In Netherlands, the... Show moreAs a consequence of the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) child care facilities all over the world were temporarily closed to minimize the spread of the virus. In Netherlands, the first closure lasted for almost 2 months. The return to the child care center after this significant interruption was expected to be challenging, because earlier studies demonstrated that transitions into child care can be stressful for both children and their parents. The current paper retrospectively examined the distress of Dutch children (aged 0-4) and their parents during the first 2 weeks after the reopening of child care centers, and what factors accounted for individual differences in distress. In total, 694 parents filled out an online questionnaire about stress during closure and distress after the reopening of child care centers. Furthermore, questions regarding several demographic variables and child care characteristics were included, as well as questionnaires measuring child temperament, parental separation anxiety, and parental perception of the child care quality. Results showed that younger children and children with parents scoring higher on separation anxiety experienced more distress after the reopening, as reported by parents. Furthermore, children were more distressed upon return when they attended the child care center for less hours per week after the reopening, experienced less stress during closure, and grew up in a one-parent family. With regard to parental distress after the reopening, we found that parents scoring higher on separation anxiety and fear of COVID-19 experienced more distress. Moreover, parents experiencing less stress during closure and mothers were more distressed when the child returned to the child care center. Finally, concurrent child and parental distress after reopening were positively related. The results of the current study may help professional caregivers to identify which children and parents benefit from extra support when children return to the child care center after an interruption. Especially the role that parental separation anxiety played in predicting both child and parental distress deserves attention. More research is required in order to study the underlying mechanisms of these associations and to design appropriate interventions. Show less
