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Latchkey children: A pilot study investigating behavior and academic achievement

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Abstract

The effects of latchkey status on the normal development of children are poorly addressed in the literature. After formulating an operational definition, the prevalence, academic performance, and behavior characteristics of latchkey children were investigated in a rural area. Few differences were found to distinguish latchkey from nonlatchkey children.

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This research was funded partially by a grant from the United Way.

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Diamond, J.M., Kataria, S. & Messer, S.C. Latchkey children: A pilot study investigating behavior and academic achievement. Child Youth Care Forum 18, 131–140 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01184760

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