Psychology

Elaboration and autonomy support in low-income mothers' reminiscing: Links to children's autobiographical narratives

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Maternal elaboration and autonomy support during reminiscing facilitate middle-class children's autobiographical narrative skills. In this study, low-income Hispanic, White, and Black mothers' elaboration and autonomy support in reminiscing were examined in relation to children's joint and independent autobiographical narratives and engagement. Sixty preschool children discussed three past events with their mothers and one past event with a researcher. Maternal elaboration was related to children's joint and independent autobiographical narratives, and autonomy support was related to children's joint and independent engagement. Hispanic mothers used a less elaborative style during conversations about misbehavior, and Hispanic children tended to have less advanced independent autobiographical narratives. Maternal elaboration and autonomy support appear to play different roles in children's autobiographical narratives. Further, reminiscing may serve different purposes in different racial/ethnic groups.

Publication Title

Journal of Cognition and Development

Publication Date

2008

Volume

9

Issue

4

First Page

363

Last Page

389

ISSN

1524-8372

DOI

10.1080/15248370802678158

Keywords

elaboration, autonomy support, low-income mothers, reminiscing, children’s autobiographical narratives

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS