Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development: A Cross-Cultural Study between American and Lebanese Children. (12th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ammar, Diala; Acevedo, Gabriel A.; Cordova, Alberto
• Other Names: Vinter Annie Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Child development research. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-08-12
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; 305.23105
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/152094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-3987

Abstract

Abstract : Considerable efforts have been devoted to map the relations between the home environment and selected aspects of child's development. A recent instrument was developed that aimed at assessing the affordances in the home environment, the AHEMD-SR. Although the AHEMD-SR gave insight into affordances in the home, it was focused on two specific populations from the United States and Portugal. Currently, there is limited research regarding the validity of this instrument when used in different cultures. The purpose of this study was to compare a sample of Middle Eastern children to the normative sample that was used to validate the AHEMD. Results showed a significance difference between the socioeconomic statuses between the groups. Concerning factor analysis, results showed that the Lebanese group had five factors loading as did the American/Portuguese sample but with variables loading differently. Interestingly, the Lebanese group showed higher scores for affordances inside the home such replica toys and games. Our findings show that the state of the environment may play a role in the affordances and development. Future work is needed to look at the specific loading and possible variables that may be included in the AHMED-SR to look at other cultures that may have other limitations.