The association of family functioning, parenting knowledge, parenting behaviors, and family characteristics with early child growth: a study in a rural community of Southern Thailand.

Authors

• Sathirapanya C
• Kongkamol C
• Buathong N
• Sathirapanya P
• Ananthaninkoon C
• Atthakornpreeda D
• Chanthin P
• Suksubwasin P
• Phanawetsanti L
• Chasuwan W
• Tantiwiwattkul A

Publication

Frontiers in public health · 2026

• doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1757048
• pmid: 41938942
• pmcid: PMC13044156

Study type: Cross-sectional study

Population: families/children

Abstract / summary

<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to evaluate the association of family functioning (FF), parenting knowledge (PK), parenting behaviors (PBs), and family characteristics (FCs) with child growth.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study was conducted in a community in Southern Thailand. Parents or childcare providers (CPs) who had cared for the children aged 2-6 years for ≥ 6 months were invited to join the study voluntarily. FF, PK, PBs, and FCs were evaluated. Their associations with child growth were assessed using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for all variables in the R program (<i>p</i> < 0.05).<h4>Results</h4>A total of 102 parents or CPs who consented to participate were enrolled. Low FF score (adjusted odds ratio (adj OR) = 5.11 (1.57,18.60), <i>p</i> = 0.006) and male caregivers (adj OR = 6.13 (0.88,47.80), <i>p</i> = 0.027) were significantly associated with unfavorable PBs. In the logistic regression model, inadequate PK (adj OR = 0.14 (0.02,0.71), <i>p</i> = 0.016), unfavorable PB (adj OR = 0.10 (0.01,0.72), <i>p</i> = 0.021), caregivers' age (adj OR = 3.14 (0.52,22.70) 32-37 years; and (adj OR = 24.30 (2.73,37.7) 38-45 years, <i>p</i> = 0.001), and marital status (adj OR = 15.80 (2.13, 16.50), <i>p</i> = 0.006) were associated with height, while parental status (parent vs. non-parent) was associated with weight (adj OR = 0.43 (1.14, 29.4), <i>p</i> = 0.030).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Child growth was significantly affected by the integrative effects of parental and familial factors, not limited to FF.

What researchers found

• le caregivers (adj OR = 6.13 (0.88,47.80), p = 0.027) were significantly associated with unfavorable PBs. In the logistic regression model, inadequate PK (adj OR = 0.14 (0.02,0.71), p = 0.016), unfavor
• 001), and marital status (adj OR = 15.80 (2.13, 16.50), p = 0.006) were associated with height, while parental status (parent vs. non-parent) was associated with weight (adj OR = 0.43 (1.14, 29.4), p

What this does not prove / limitations

• Design is described as cross-sectional; causal inference is not supported by this design alone. Source: with child growth. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a community in Southern Thailand. Parents or childcare providers (CPs) who had cared for the chi

Topics

parenting, behavior, development, education, adolescence