Examining associations among provider-family relationships, provider coping strategies, and family child care providers' relationships with children

Family child care (FCC) providers are key suppliers of care and education to young children, yet they often experience stressors that can influence their ability to provide developmentally appropriate care. This research sought to understand the direct and indirect associations among FCC providers' relationships with families they serve, relationships with children in care (measured via closeness and conflict), and individual well-being (measured via coping skills). In this study, 888 FCC providers completed questionnaires. After controlling for demographic, job-related, and personal factors, path analysis revealed FCC providers reported higher closeness and lower conflict with the children in their care when they perceived more positive relationships with children's families. In addition, more positive relationships with children's families were associated with stronger FCC provider coping skills, which in turn, were associated with lower conflict and higher closeness within provider-child relationships. Suggestions are offered for future research and support of the well-being of FCC providers.