Emotional Nurturance and Cognitive Development in Indian Preschoolers: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

2025, Volume 1, Issue 1, Page 16-22

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Athiti Devi, Assistant Professor, General Medicine, IIMSR, UP

Abstract:

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between caregiver emotional nurturance and cognitive development in 391 preschoolers from GIMSH, Durgapur, India, considering socio-economic factors. Age, family structure, and caste significantly influenced cognitive outcomes. Children aged 36-48 months and those from joint families exhibited higher cognitive scores. Children from disadvantaged castes showed lower cognitive development compared to advantaged castes. While emotional nurturance showed a positive trend, it was not significantly associated with cognitive development after adjusting for socio-economic factors. The study highlights the significant impact of socio-economic disparities on preschool cognitive development. Targeted policies addressing these inequities, alongside interventions supporting joint family systems and maternal education, are essential for promoting equitable cognitive development in rural settings.

Keywords: Public health, socio-economic factors, preschool children, emotional nurturance, caregivers, cognitive development.