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Is socio-economic status a priviledge anymore? A new explanation of this question

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Abstract

The purpose of the present research is to explore the association between socioeconomic status (SES), daily internet use (DIU), birth order (BO), family size (FS), maternal working hours (MWH), and paternal working hours (PWH) with theory of mind (ToM) skills among pre-schoolers and primary schoolers. A total of 177 pre-school children and primary school children were included in the research sample. The research was designed as correlational research. The data were analysed with multiple linear regression analysis. Results of the research showed that DIU and SES are most negatively associated with ToM of the participant children. Moreover, it was observed that BO and FS are negatively related to ToM and PWH has higher correlation than MWH in the context of ToM. It was concluded that higher SES seems to offer more availability of internet and digital technologies in home settings and this availability causes negative associations between SES and ToM. Findings were discussed along the relevant literature.

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Data availability

Based on informed consent from the participant children and their parents, they were ensured that the data would not be shared with any other third parties. Therefore, there is no data availability to protect their privacy.

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KC prepared analyzed the data prepared the research report. Dr. CK and MC collected the data.

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Correspondence to Kerem Coşkun.

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We certify that the study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The scale and methodology for this study was approved by the Human Research Ethics committee of the Artvin Coruh University (18457941-050.99-68783).

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All participant children and their parents were informed and consent to participate in the study. Its process was well detailed in the method section.

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There is no competing interests among the authors.

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Coşkun, K., Kara, C. & Coskun, M. Is socio-economic status a priviledge anymore? A new explanation of this question. SN Soc Sci 4, 101 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00902-z

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