The purpose of this study examined that preschooler''s effortful control moderated the effect of maternal emotion-related socialization behavior on preschooler''s prosocial and problem behavior.
In this study, subjects were 153 preschoolers and their mothers. Maternal Emotion-Related Socialization Behavior was assessed by a Short Form of the Self-Expressiveness in the Family Questionnaire-Short Form, Parental Attitude toward Child Expressiveness Scale, and Maternal Emotional Styles Questionnaire. Preschooler''s prosocial behaviors were measured by Prosocial Behavior Scale for Young Children, and problem behaviors were assessed by K-CBCL 1.5-5. Preschooler''s effortful controls were measured by Children''s Behavior Questionnaire.
Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and hierarchical linear regression analyses with SPSS 19.0 program.
The major results of this study were as follows;
First, there were significant differences in the preschooler''s internalizing problem behavior by gender but there were no significant differences in maternal emotion-related socialization behavior, preschooler''s prosocial behaviors and externalizing problem behaviors, and preschooler''s effortful control by gender and sex.
Second, there was a moderating effect of preschooler''s effortful control on maternal emotion-related socialization behavior and preschooler''s prosocial behavior, specifically maternal negative emotion expression and response to the preschooler''s positive emotion.
Third, there was no moderating effect of preschooler''s effortful control on maternal emotion-related socialization behavior and preschooler''s externalizing problem behavior.
Fourth, there was no moderating effect of preschooler''s effortful control on maternal emotion-related socialization behavior and preschooler''s internalizing problem behaviors.
In conclusion, the impact of effortful control on preschooler''s prosocial and problem behavior were significant. Also, maternal emotion-related socialization behaviors affected on preschooler''s prosocial and problem behaviors. The findings of the study will contribute to help maternal emotional interaction with their preschool aged children.