Diane Sunar

Long-term effects of early intervention: Turkish low-income mothers and children

Abstract The two studies reported in this paper comprise the Turkish Early Enrichment Project (TEEP) spanning a period of 10 years. Both studies were conducted with mothers and children in low-income, low-education areas of Istanbul. Study 1 involved an examination over 4 years of the effects of two different types of early enrichment (intervention), child-focused (center-based) and mother-focused (home-based). Study 2 was a follow-up of Study 1, 7 years after the end of project intervention. Although both interventions produced superior cognitive skills and school adjustment at the end of the program, follow-up assessments in Study 2 revealed that parent-focused intervention had numerous sustained effects in terms of school attainment, higher primary school grades and vocabulary scores, more favorable attitudes towards school, and better family and social adjustment, while most effects of center-based intervention had dissipated (with the notable exception of negative effects of custodial, as opposed to educational, day care). It is concluded that home-based early enrichment through the mediation of the mother is a highly effective strategy with multiple positive outcomes in contexts of socioeconomic disadvantage.

Functional relationships in the nuclear and extended family: A 16-culture study

This study investigated the relationship between culture, structural aspects of the nuclear and extended family, and functional aspects of the family, that is, emotional distance, social interaction, and communication, as well as geographical proximity. The focus was on the functional aspects of family, defined as members of the nuclear family (mother, father, and their children) and the extended family (grandmother/grandfather, aunt/uncle, cousins). Sixteen cultures participated in this study, with a total number of 2587 participants. The first hypothesis, that the pattern of scores on the psychological measures and the behavioral outcomes are similar across cultures, an indication of cultural universality, was supported. The second hypothesis, that functional relations between members of the nuclear family and their kin are maintained in high-affluent and low-affluent cultures, and that differences in functional relationships in high- and low-affluent cultures are a matter of degree, was also supported ...

Continuity and Change in Turkish Urban Family Life

This study investigates continuity and change in child-rearing attitudes and intrafamily status of the woman in urban middle class Türkiye. A group of 75 women responded to questions about values attributed to children, preference for childrens sex, and womans status in relation to the husband. Findings indicate a decrease in the economic value and an increase in the psychological value of children, together with a decrease in boy preference and an increase in girl preference. Contrary to previous research, old age security is more often mentioned as a reason for preferring girls than for preferring boys. Compared to the past, women are more involved in decision-making in urban families. Equalitarian intrafamily relations, with increased shared decision- making, communication, and role sharing between spouses, are associated with lower levels of fertility.

Female Stereotypes in the United States and Turkey An Application of Functional Theory to Perception in Power Relationships

The functional theory of attitudes was applied to the problem of interpersonal perception and stereotyping in power relationships to predict the content of stereotypes of subordinated groups. An examination of stereotypes of women in the United States and Turkey tested the following three hypotheses: (1) Both American and Turkish males will attribute the predicted stereotyped traits more to women than to men, (2) Turks will perceive greater differences between the sexes than will Americans, (3) Turkish males and females will agree more closely on the characteristics of women than will American males and females. The first two hypotheses were supported, while the third was rejected. A time-lag model of ideological change was suggested to explain the failure to support the third hypothesis.

Is early childhood relevant to peacebuilding

The general themes of early childhood and peacebuilding barely intersect, whether in scientific research, policy or practice. Yet recent studies emerging from different disciplines such as neurobiology, developmental psychology, family studies, intercultural contact and conflict resolution are beginning to point to the potential value of multifaceted approaches that can draw connections between early childhood and peace at various levels, such as family, community, or beyond, whether defined negatively as ‘absence of violence’ or positively as ‘a condition of security, justice and dignity within and between groups’. Such a comprehensive perspective is promising, in terms both of developing a better understanding of the myriad factors involved and of achieving impactful interventions.