Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia

Maria Spinelli; Emanuele Preti; Temsegen Tadele Kassa; Moges Ayele Asale; Mulat Asnake Goshu; Tigist Wuhib Tsega; Abebaw Minaye Gezie; Mirco Fasolo; Judi Mesman

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1163773

Cultural considerations in the assessment of sensitivity in low-income caregivers in Ethiopia

Front Psychol. 2023 Apr 26:14:1163773. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1163773. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Maria Spinelli¹, Emanuele Preti², Temsegen Tadele Kassa³, Moges Ayele Asale⁴, Mulat Asnake Goshu⁴, Tigist Wuhib Tsega⁴, Abebaw Minaye Gezie⁴, Mirco Fasolo¹, Judi Mesman⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
² Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
³ Integrated Family Services Organization (IFSO), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁴ School of Psychology, College of Education and Behavioral Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁵ Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.

Abstract

Background: Caregiver sensitivity is associated with positive child outcomes, and improving sensitivity is often the aim of parenting-directed interventions. However, sensitivity was conceptualized in Western cultures, and its application in populations with different backgrounds is still limited.

Objective: This study aimed to foster a contextualized cultural understanding of the meaning and nature of sensitivity by assessing the possibility of evaluating sensitivity in a low-income population living in Ethiopia and describing the nature of (in)sensitive parenting. Moreover, the associations between sensitivity and discipline, the quality of the environment, and individual characteristics were explored.

Methods: Parental sensitivity was coded on naturalistic video-recorded observations of free interactions between 25 female primary caregivers and their children. Caregivers completed questionnaires on discipline strategies and the level of satisfaction with the environment (access to basic needs, quality of house condition, community and family support, quality of learning opportunities, and working conditions).

Results: The assessment of sensitivity in this population was possible, with caregivers showing the full range of sensitivity levels. A description of manifestations of sensitivity in this population is provided. A K-means cluster analysis evidenced that high sensitivity was associated with high satisfaction regarding housing conditions and family environment. No association between sensitivity and discipline emerged.

Conclusion: The findings show the feasibility of assessing sensitivity in this sample. The descriptions of observed behaviors contribute to understanding culturally specific aspects of sensitivity to consider when assessing sensitivity in similar populations. The study provides considerations and guidelines to inform the structure of culturally-based interventions to promote sensitive parenting in similar cultural and socioeconomic situations.

Keywords: Ethiopia; caregiver–child interaction; discipline; low-income families; sensitivity.