Association between reduced visual-motor integration performance and socioeconomic factors among preschool children in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 3;16(3):e0246846. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246846. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Visual-motor integration (VMI) is related to children's academic performance and school readiness. VMI scores measured using the Beery-Bucktenicka Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery-VMI) can differ due to differences in cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This study compared the VMI scores of Malaysian preschoolers with the corresponding US norms and determined the association between their VMI scores and socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 435 preschoolers (mean age: 5.95±0.47 years; age range: 5.08-6.83 years) from randomly selected public and private preschools. VMI scores were measured using Beery-VMI in the preschools' classrooms. Information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the preschoolers was obtained using a parent-report questionnaire. One sample t-test was used to compare their VMI scores with the corresponding US norms. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the influence of socioeconomic factors on the preschoolers' VMI scores. Overall, Malaysian preschoolers' VMI performance was similar to the US standardized norms (p>0.05). Children from low-income families were twice likely to obtain lower than average VMI scores than those from higher-income families (OR = 2.47, 95%CI 1.05, 5.86). Children enrolled at public preschools were more likely to obtain a lower than average VMI score than those who enrolled at private preschools (OR = 2.60, 95%CI 1.12, 6.06). Children who started preschool at the age of six were more likely to obtain lower than average VMI scores than those who started at an earlier age (OR = 4.66, 95%CI 1.97, 11.04). Low maternal education level was also associated with lower than average VMI score (OR = 2.60, 95%CI 1.12, 6.06). Malaysian preschoolers' Beery-VMI performance compared well to their US counterparts. Some socioeconomic factors were associated with reduced VMI scores. Those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to have reduced VMI performance, potentially adversely affecting their school readiness, cognitive performance, and future academic achievements.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Academic Performance / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Development / physiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Malaysia / ethnology
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Visual Perception / physiology*

Grants and funding

Authors MIH, SSK, SN, MMA, MA and MK received a research grant under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme from the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia (grant number: FRGS/1/2019/SSI09/UKM/02/4). The url of the funder is mygrants.gov.my The funding body had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.