THE NICHD STUDY OF EARLY CHILD CARE

本研究采用有限生态模型，将调查 与早期发育模式相关的某些发育结果 儿童看护。 核心问题是如何以及在多大程度上 家庭内外的各种护理组合 幼儿的发展轨迹。 该模型使用 一个交替的儿童保育的概念，这是连续的，而不是 在数量和质量上是二分法的。 这 概念要求研究设计，将儿童沿着这一点， 连续体，而不是将它们分配给理论上的两个之一 完全分离的群体，并检查相关的发展 结果。 同样，它也明确指出， 在父母历史背景下的替代照料（包括 幼儿保育）和个性，目前的家庭压力， 家庭护理的质量，以及替代护理的范围和质量 照顾使用。 这项研究将对所有在此期间出生的婴儿进行队列抽样。 在小石城的两家医院里呆了一个月， 同意参与。 我们会联系受害者家属 每三个月，轮流亲自或通过电话，直到 孩子们到了42个月大。 在所有的联系人，信息 将获得有关家庭，孩子，和任何替代 在此期间，孩子得到的照顾。 附接 孩子对父母的依恋，同样，父母对孩子的依恋， 孩子，将在几个点监测在早期 年，而不是在一个单一的评估。 这种相互 附件将被视为一个中介变量， 可以影响替代照料对儿童的影响， 因变量 评估的主要因变量 孩子们的发展水平，健康和社会 能力。 调查人员热情参与 在合作项目中并将修改计划的评估 工具和评估时间表，以适应共同的 议定书

This study, using a limited ecological model, will investigate certain developmental outcomes associated with patterns of early child care. The central questions is how and to what extent various combinations of care inside and outside the home influence the developmental trajectories of young children. The model uses a concept of alternate child care which is continuous rather than dichotomous with regard to quantity as well as quality. This concept mandates a research design which places children along this continuum, rather than assigning them to one of two theoretically completely separable groups, and examines associated developmental outcomes. Likewise, it specifies the necessity of looking at alternate care within the context of parental history (including early child care) and personality, current family stresses and supports, quality of home care, and extent and quality of alternate care utilized. The study will follow a cohort sample of all infants born during a one-month period in two Little Rock hospitals whose parents consent to participate. Contact with the families will be made every three months, alternately in person and by telephone, until the children reach 42 months of age. At all contacts, information will be obtained about the family, the child, and any alternate care received by the child during the interim. Attachment of the child to the parents, and, likewise, attachment of the parents to the child, will be monitored at several points during the early years rather than in a single assessment. This reciprocal attachment will be examined both as an intervening variable which can influence the impact of alternate care on the children and as a dependent variable. The major dependent variables assessed in the children will be developmental level, health, and social competence. The investigators are enthusiastic about participating in the collaborative project and will modify planned assessment instruments and the assessment timetable to accommodate the shared protocol.