Do self-regulation skills of preschoolers mediate the relation between parenting behaviors and peer play skills?

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the relations between parenting behaviors of mothers, self-regulation skills and peer play skills of preschool children between 60-72 months old focusing in particular the mediation role of the self-regulation skills in relation between parenting behaviors and peer play skills. The sample of the research is selected from the central districts of a city in middle western Turkey, by random sampling method. Sample of the study consist of 365 children, their mothers and teachers. The results indicate that there is a positive relation between positive parenting and positive play skills and a similar association between negative models. Although the self-regulation skills are positively associated with positive peer play, no significant relation is found between self-regulation and negative peer play behaviors. Additionally, no indirect effect of parenting behaviors on peer play skills through self-regulation skills was observed. Implications of the findings are discussed in the light of the related literature.