Family socioeconomic status and the cognitive competence of very young children from migrant and non-migrant Chinese families: The mediating role of parenting self-efficacy and parental involvement

This study explores how family socioeconomic status (SES) is linked to the cognitive competence of very young children (i.e., less than 3 years of age) in migrant and non-migrant Chinese families. It also investigates the mediating role of parenting self-efficacy (PSE) and parental involvement in these associations. Based on a sample of 748 migrant and non-migrant families residing in urban areas, the results from structural equation modelling (SEM) showed that young Chinese children from higher-SES families exhibited stronger cognitive competence. Moreover, this connection was partially mediated by PSE and parental involvement; in particular, higher-SES parents had higher PSE and greater involvement in their children's home-based activities, which explained their children's stronger cognitive competence. However, these direct and indirect pathways varied between migrant and non-migrant families. This paper offers valuable insights into the parental beliefs and practises behind SES-related differences in cognitive competence between very young children from migrant and non-migrant Chinese families.